Anterior chamber indices in a population-based study using the Pentacam

To determine the distribution of anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber volume (ACV), and anterior chamber angle (ACA) values in a rural population over 5 years of age using the Pentacam.

In this cross-sectional study, samples were selected from over 1-year-old inhabitants of two villages in Iran using a multistage cluster sampling approach. All participants underwent the measurement of uncorrected and corrected visual acuity and auto-refraction, retinoscopy, subjective refraction, and slit lamp examination. Finally, corneal imaging was done for all subjects over 5 years of age using the Pentacam.

Of 3851 selected individuals, 3314 participated in the study, of whom 2681 met the inclusion criteria. The mean age of the sample was 36.03 ± 18.5 years (range 6-90 years). The mean ACD, ACA, and ACV values were 3.37 mm (95% CI: 3.37-3.39), 34.82° (95% CI: 34.45-35.2), and 159.17 µL (95% CI: 156-161.36), respectively. The results of multiple linear regression models showed that ACD, ACA, and ACV values reduced with age, and ACD and ACV values were significantly higher in males. ACA and ACV values correlated inversely with central corneal thickness, while the ACA value correlated directly with keratometry and inversely with the ACV value.

This study is one of the few studies in the world showing changes in ACD values in different age groups using the Pentacam. According to the results, aging was associated with a decline in the mean ACD, ACA, and ACV values. These parameters were the largest in patients with emmetropia and smallest in hyperopic subjects.