Korean J Ophthalmol.  2011 Apr;25(2):77-83. 10.3341/kjo.2011.25.2.77.

Changes in Anterior Chamber Configuration after Cataract Surgery as Measured by Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography

• Kim M
• Park KH
• Kim TW
• Kim DM

• KMID: 1111867
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.2011.25.2.77

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the changes in anterior chamber depth (ACD) and angle width induced by phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in normal eyes using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT).
METHODS
Forty-five eyes (45 patients) underwent AS-OCT imaging to evaluate anterior chamber configuration before and 2 days after phacoemulsification and IOL implantation. We analyzed the central ACD and angle width using different methods: anterior chamber angle (ACA), trabecular-iris angle (TIA), angle opening distance (AOD), and trabecular iris surface area (TISA) in the nasal and temporal quadrants. Comparison between preoperative and postoperative measurement was done using paired t-tests and each of the angle parameters was analyzed with Pearson correlation testing. Subgroup analyses according to the IOL and axial length were performed with a general multivariate linear model adjusted for age.
RESULTS
Before surgery, the mean anterior chamber angle widths were 23.21 +/- 6.70degrees in the nasal quadrant and 24.89 +/- 7.66degrees in the temporal quadrant. The mean central ACD was 2.75 +/- 0.43 mm. After phacoemulsification and IOL implantation, the anterior chamber angle width increased significantly to 35.16 +/- 4.65degrees in the nasal quadrant (p = 0.001) and 36.03 +/- 4.86degrees in the temporal quadrant (p = 0.001). Also, central ACD increased to 4.14 +/- 0.31 mm (p = 0.001). AOD, TISA, and TIA increased significantly after cataract surgery and showed positive correlation with ACA.
CONCLUSIONS
After cataract surgery, the ACD and angle width significantly increased in eyes with cataract. AS-OCT is a good method for obtaining quantitative data regarding anterior chamber configuration.

Keyword

Anterior chamber; Cataract extraction; Optical coherence; Tomography

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Anterior Chamber/*pathology
Anterior Eye Segment/pathology
*Cataract Extraction
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Postoperative Period
Retrospective Studies
Tomography, Optical Coherence/*methods

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Anterior segment optical coherence tomography image of the right eye of a 50-year-old woman before (A) and after (B) cataract surgery. Anterior chamber depth (ACD) was defined as the distance from the endothelium at the center of the cornea to the anterior pole of the lens or intraocular lens. ACA = anterior chamber angle.

• 

  Fig. 2 (A) The angle-opening distance (AOD) at 500 µm anterior to the scleral spur (AOD500) and the AOD at 750 µm anterior to the scleral spur (AOD750) were defined as the distance from the corneal endothelium to the anterior iris perpendicular to a line drawn along the trabecular meshwork at 500 µm or 750 µm from the scleral spur. The trabecular-iris space areas (TISA) at 500 µm or 750 µm from the scleral spur (TISA500, TISA750) were defined as the areas bounded by the corneal endothelium, trabecular meshwork, and anterior iris surface out to a distance of 500 µm or 750 µm from the scleral spur. (B) The trabecular-iris angle (TIA), defined as the angle measured with the apex in the scleral spur and the arms of the angle passing through a point on the trabecular meshwork 500 µm from the scleral spur and a perpendicular point on the iris.

• 

  Fig. 3 (A,B) Preoperative anterior chamber angle (ACA) measurements and changes in the angle following cataract surgery showed negative correlations in the nasal (A) and temporal (B) quadrants. (C) Preoperative anterior chamber depth (ACD) and postoperative changes in ACD also showed a negative correlation.

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