Biometry of the cornea and anterior chamber in chinese eyes: an anterior segment optical coherence tomography study

Abstract

PURPOSE. To investigate the normative data of corneal and anterior segment biometric parameters and their associations in Chinese adults, for use in preoperative assessment for corneal and anterior segment surgery. METHODS. This cross-sectional, population-based study included 750 subjects aged > or =50 years. The subjects underwent an ophthalmic examination including imaging with anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). Dimensions were subsequently measured with the Zhongshan Assessment Program (ZAP). Also measured was posterior corneal arc length (PCAL), a novel parameter defined as the arc distance between scleral spurs on the posterior border of the cornea. Correlations with age, sex, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), refractive sphere and cylinder, and intraocular pressure were also measured. RESULTS. The subjects' mean age was 63.3 +/- 7.9 years and 349 (46.5%) were men. Corneal parameters (mean +/- SD) included PCAL (12.924 +/- 0.544 mm), anterior chamber depth (ACD; 2.684 +/- 0.309 mm), central corneal thickness (562.39 +/- 31.85 microm), anterior chamber curvature (7.35 +/- 0.37 mm), and posterior corneal curvature (6.65 +/- 0.34 mm). A moderate correlation was observed between PCAL and ACD (R = 0.55, P < 0.001) and a poor correlation between PCAL and age, height, weight, and BMI. Multivariate analysis showed a significant association between PCAL and ACD, ACC, PCC, and cylinder (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS. In this Chinese population, PCAL was found to correlate moderately with ACD. The data may be useful for corneal and anterior segment procedures such as Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK).