ABSTRACT
Cataracts result from ageing leading to a reduction in vision which is reversible with cataract surgery. Ocular biometry enables the measurement of the axial length, anterior chamber depth, lens thickness and vitreous chamber depth. The purpose of this study wasto determine the relationship between age and ocular biometric parameters in subjects diagnosed with cataract.
A total of 150 subjects aged 40 to 90 years diagnosed with cataract who had no intraocular disease that can affect measurements, no previous ocular surgery, no intraocular tumour, no history of trauma and normal intraocular pressure were included in this study. The research was carried out at the Eye Centre, ECWA Hospital, Egbe, Kogi State, Nigeria. Detailed optometric examination including Slit-lamp biomicroscopy, fundus examination and intraocular pressure measurement was done. Ocular biometric measurements were taken after the subject was seated, with the head upright and eyes in the primary position of gaze. A drop of topical anaesthetic (Tetracaine hydrochloride 0.5%) was instilled in the subject's eye and the probe used to lightly applanate the cornea. Data obtained from this study was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0.
The results showed the mean age was 68.79±0.82 years, mean axial length was 23.09±0.06mm, mean anterior chamber depth was 3.18±0.03mm, mean lens thickness was 4.06±0.05mm and mean vitreous chamber depth was 15.91±0.08mm.Axial length was longer among those within the ages of 50 to 59 years. Anterior chamber depth decreased with age. Lens thickness was higher in subjects above 79 years and vitreous chamber depth decreased with age. The mean axial length was higher in males than females (23.27±0.10mm vs 22.95±0.08mm) and statistically significant (p<0.05). The mean anterior chamber depth was deeper in males than females (3.19±0.05mm vs 3.17±0.05mm) and was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The mean lens thickness was higher in females than males (4.09±0.07mm vs 4.04±0.08mm) and was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The mean vitreous chamber depth was higher in males than females (16.02±0.13mm vs 15.82±0.11mm) and was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Axial length was positively correlated with anterior chamber depth and vitreous chamber depth and negatively correlated with lens thickness. Anterior chamber depth was negatively correlated with lens thickness and vitreous chamber depth. Lens thickness was negatively correlated with vitreous chamber depth. Age and gender influences ocular biometric parameters in subjects with cataract.
