Corneal power is correlated with anterior chamber diameter

Although corneal power and axial length are known to be inversely correlated, the biological determinants of corneal power are unknown. To elucidate this correlation further, study authors investigated the relationships among corneal power, corneal diameter, anterior chamber diameter, and axial length in a sample of human adults.

The eyes of 61 subjects seen consecutively in an eye clinic were studied with a high-resolution optimal coherence tomography (OCT) pachymetry device and ophthalmic optical biometer. The relationships between corneal power, white-to-white (WTW) corneal diameter, anterior chamber diameter, and axial length were assessed with Pearson correlations.

The mean age of the 61 subjects was 48.7 ± 19.4 years. Corneal power was negatively correlated with axial length (r = -0.303, P < 0.01); WTW corneal diameter (r = -0.399, P < 0.001); and most interestingly, anterior chamber diameter (r = -0.646, P < 0.001). There was also a positive correlation between anterior chamber diameter and axial length (r = 0.489, P < 0.001).

Greater anterior chamber diameters were associated with flatter corneas and, conversely, smaller anterior chamber diameters with steeper corneas. The growth patterns of the anterior segment may be determinants of corneal power.