Relationship of the Van Herick Grading System with Peripheral Iris Configuration and Level of Iris Insertion

Abstract

Objective: To determine the relationship of the van Herick angle grading system with the level of iris insertion and peripheral iris configuration.

Study design: Observational study.

Place and duration of study: Eye department, Combined Military Hospital, Malir Cantt., Karachi, from May to October 2015.

Methodology: Sixty-five eyes of 65 patients were recruited. Anterior chamber depth at the temporal limbus was measured as a fraction of corneal section thickness using van Herick technique and graded on the standard 4-point scale of the van Herick grading system. Gonioscopy of the temporal quadrant was performed with a Posner 4 mirror goniolens and both the true level of iris insertion and peripheral iris configuration were recorded on a 4-point scale so as to equate with the van Herick 4-point grading system. Spearman's rho test was applied to determine the relationship of the van Herick grading system with level of iris root insertion and peripheral iris configuration.

Results: Amoderate positive correlation between van Herick grade and peripheral iris configuration was found which was statistically significant (rs=0.42, p < 0.001). Astatistically significant and moderate positive correlation was also detected between van Herick grade and the level of iris insertion (rs=0.45, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The van Herick grade has a moderately positive relationship with the peripheral iris configuration and true level of iris insertion.