Changes in symmetry of anterior chamber following routine cataract surgery in non-glaucomatous eyes

Abstract

Abstract Background To assess minimum and maximum changes in anterior chamber dimensions following routine cataract surgery in non-glaucomatous eyes. Methods Forty-two eyes (42 participants) underwent routine cataract surgery with same surgeon and were assessed preoperatively, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Primary outcome measure: Angle-to-angle diameter (AAD) (at 0-180o, 45-225o, 90-270o, 135-315o), Anterior-chamber-angle (ACA) (at 0o, 45o, 90o, 135o, 180o, 225o, 270o and 315o) and central anterior chamber depth (ACD) at all visits. Secondary outcome measures: relationship to axial length (AL). Results The mean AAD and ACA increased post-operatively in all meridians at all visits postoperatively. At 12 months, there was a maximum change in AAD in horizontal meridian (506.55 ± 468.71 μm) and least in vertical meridian (256.31 ± 1082.3 μm). The mean percentage increase in ACA postoperatively was least at 90o (5% increase compared to 29–35% elsewhere). Central ACD deepened at all postoperative visits and this did not change over 12 months. There was no correlation between AAD, ACA and ACD with AL at any visit. Conclusion The AAD, ACA and ACD increases following cataract surgery in non-glaucomatous eyes, but at 12 months increase in AAD is least in vertical compared to horizontal meridian. Also, ACA was narrower (only 5% increase) superiorly compared to elsewhere (29–35% increase in ACA). This may have implications with regards to surgeries performed in the anterior chamber and corneal endothelial cell loss.

Keywords

• Anterior chamber depth
• Anterior chamber angle
• Angle to angle diameter