Posters

Distribution of anterior chamber angle width and correlation with age, refraction and lens thickness: the Gutenberg health study

Poster Details

First Author: A.Schuster GERMANY

Co Author(s):    N. Pfeiffer   S. Nickels   A. Schulz   R. Hoehn   U. Vossmerbaeumer  

Abstract Details

Purpose:

Scheimpflug imaging allows quantitative analysis of the geometry and of the width of the anterior chamber angle. For the first time, we report the population-based distribution of the anterior chamber angle width using this non-contact imaging technique and investigate associated factors.

Setting:

A population-based cross-sectional study- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany

Methods:

A comprehensive ophthalmological examination including refraction, biometry and Scheimpflug imaging was performed. Automated measurement of the anterior chamber angle was performed in each anterior chamber quadrant. Exclusion criteria were previous ocular surgery or inadequate image quality. Association analyses were carried out to determine independently associated systemic and ocular factors for the anterior chamber angle width using a generalized estimating equation model.

Results:

3014 subjects (48% female) with a mean age of 58.6+/-10.4 years were included in this study. The mean anterior chamber angle width was 32.6+/-5.5°. Statistical analysis revealed an independent association between a smaller anterior chamber angle and female gender, higher age and hyperopic refraction. When including biometric parameters, shorter axial length, thicker crystalline lens, higher central corneal thickness and lower corneal power was independently associated with a narrower anterior chamber angle.

Conclusions:

For the first time, we analyzed the distribution of the anterior chamber angle width using Scheimpflug imaging in a large European cohort. We found independent associations between the anterior chamber angle width and parameters that are described as risk factors for a narrow angle namely older age, hyperopic refraction, a thicker crystalline lens and shorter axial length. FINANCIAL DISCLOUSRE: NONE