Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate the relationship between anterior chamber depth (ACD) and axial length (AL) before and after cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation.
Methods: :
This is a review of 180 eyes with cataract from 114 patients with an average age of 74. Prior to surgery ACD and AL were measured by ultrasound (Model A–2000, Sonomed, New York). At least 3 months after surgery ACD and AL were measured by partial coherence interferometry (PCI) with the IOLMaster (CarlZeiss Meditec, Germany). All measurements were conducted at least 4 to 5 times to obtain a consistent average value. Correlation of measurements before and after surgery was determined by linear fit with a 95% confidence interval. Change in ACD and AL was calculated by subtracting preop values from postop values.
Results: :
The mean AL before surgery was 24.10 mm (range, 21.9 – 31.67 mm). Approximately 90% of AL’s were between 21 mm and 26 mm. No change in axial length was detected after surgery, indicating a close correlation of ultrasound and PCI. Prior to surgery the mean ACD was 3.35 (range, 1.92 – 4.18 mm). More than 90% of the preop ACD’s were between 2.8 mm and 4 mm. Mean ACD after surgery was 4.36 mm (range, 3.3 – 5.58 mm). More than 90% of postop ACD’s were between 3.5 mm and 5.2 mm. Longer AL is associated with deeper ACD, both before and after surgery. The slope for this relationship is 0.119 +/– 0.020. Deeper ACD before surgery also is associated with deeper ACD after surgery; the slope for this relationship is 0.295 +/– 0.094. However, change in ACD is inversely related to preop ACD. Eyes with deep anterior chambers prior to surgery had, in general, less absolute change in ACD than eyes with shallow anterior chambers, and the slope value for this relationship is –0.704 +/– 0.094. Change in ACD showed no significant correlation with axial length.
Conclusions: :
ACD generally increases with AL both before and after surgery. After cataract surgery mean ACD increases about 1 mm. Change in ACD is more closely related to preop ACD than AL.
Keywords: cataract • anterior chamber • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: outcomes/complications