Evaluation of biometric parameters in phacomorphic glaucoma and mature cataracts

The aims of this study were to compare the biometric parameters and axial lengths of eyes with phacomorphic glaucoma and mature cataract and to identify differences that might predispose to development of phacomorphic glaucoma.

Three hundred forty-two patients were enrolled in this retrospective study. The eyes were divided into four groups-Group (G)1: phacomorphic glaucoma (n = 29), G2: mature cataract (n = 313), G3: contralateral phacomorphic glaucoma (n = 29), and G4: contralateral mature cataract (n = 313). Central corneal thickness and anterior chamber depth were assessed by optical low-coherence reflectometry (Lenstar LS 900®; Haag-Streit AG, Switzerland), while axial length was determined by A-scan ultrasound biometry.

The mean central corneal thickness of G1 was significantly higher than in other groups (p < 0.001) and the mean anterior chamber depth of G1 was the lowest among the groups (p < 0.001). Also, G2 had lower mean anterior chamber depth than G4 (p < 0.001) and G3 had lower mean anterior chamber depth than G4 (p = 0.007). Anterior chamber depth less than 3.27 mm had the higher odds ratio for distinguishing G3 versus G4 (odds ratio = 10.79, p < 0.001). Furthermore, patients aged ⩾68.9 years had the higher odds ratio for distinguishing G1 versus G2 (odds ratio = 2.82, p = 0.019). There was no significant difference in the presence of pseudoexfoliation material between G1 and G2 (p = 0.057). There were no significant differences in axial length values among the four groups (p = 0.097).

Advanced age and shallow anterior chamber depth were found to be risk factors for developing phacomorphic glaucoma, but the presence of pseudoexfoliation material was not found to play a role as a risk factor in phacomorphic glaucoma development.