One Year Change in Peripheral Anterior Chamber Depth in Patients With Glaucoma

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: Although it is known that aging changes in anterior chamber depth (ACD), there are few reports in which investigate ACD change with quantitative and longitudinal manner. We recently developed scanning peripheral anterior chamber depth analyzer (SPAC). In this study, we investigated one year change in ACD in patients with glaucoma using SPAC. Methods: Patients with glaucoma who visited Yamanashi University Hospital from February 2003 to May 2004 were subject to this study. Their peripheral ACD was prospectively measured at the time of entry and at least at one year later after the entry. Their right eye was chosen, if it was satisfied following conditions; no history of any eye surgeries, no change of medications influencing ACD such as pilocarpine, or phakic eye. Otherwise the left eye was employed. SPAC measured peripheral ACD three times and averaged values were subject to analysis. Results: One–hundred and ten patients were enrolled. Their mean age was 63.8 years old and there were 49 male and 61 female patients. The mean intraocular pressures (IO) before entry and one year later were 15.5±3.7 and 15.4±3.3 mmHg, respectively. Additional eyedrops were prescribed to 13 subjects due to IOP elevation and 25 subjects elevated their IOP 2mmHg or more during one–year follow–up. The ACD was significantly decreased at all measured points, and mean value of ACD change was 19.0%. ACD change was increased along the distance from the optic axis. The magnitude of ACD change tends to correlate with age and ACD at the entry. Conclusions: ACD is decreased with aging and its magnitude is emphasized at the peripheral area. The age–related change in ACD may effect on IOP control in patients with glaucoma.

Keywords: aging • anterior chamber • anterior segment