Anterior Segment Dimensions in Asian and Caucasian Eyes Measured by Optical Coherence Tomography

• DOI: 10.3928/15428877-20120102-03
• Publication Date: 2012-02-09T14:29:11Z
• Authors: Bing Qin; Maolong Tang; Yan Li; Xinbo Zhang; Renyuan Chu; David Huang
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Reproducibility of Results; Middle Aged; White People; Young Adult; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Asian People; Anterior Eye Segment; Multivariate Analysis; Humans; Female; Prospective Studies; Tomography, Optical Coherence

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To compare Asian and Caucasian anterior segment dimensions measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Anterior segment OCT images were obtained in normal subjects. Four line scans were acquired at the 90°, 45°, 0°, and 135° meridians of each eye. Computer calipers acquired anterior segment dimensions of corneal diameter, anterior chamber width, corneal vault, and anterior chamber depth on OCT images. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess correlations.

RESULTS:

Corneal diameter was 0.5 mm narrower ( P < .01), anterior chamber width was 0.46 mm narrower ( P < .01), and corneal vault was 0.22 mm lower ( P < .01) in Asian eyes. All anterior segment dimensions decreased with age.

CONCLUSION: Asian eyes had smaller anterior segments compared to Caucasian eyes. Regardless of race, anterior segment dimensions were smaller in older subjects. Age-related changes may affect the tolerability of long-term implants such as phakic intraocular lenses.