Angle changes before and after cataract surgery assessed by Fourier-domain anterior segment optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To quantify angle changes after phacoemulsification extracapsular cataract extraction using Fourier-domain anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT).

SETTING

Department of Ophthalmology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taiwan.

DESIGN

Case series.

METHODS

Fourier-domain AS-OCT examinations were performed in patients between 15 and 91 years of age 1 week before and 1 week after cataract surgery. The angle, angle-opening distance at 500 μm, and trabecular-iris space area at 500 μm in the temporal and nasal quadrants were obtained. Patients were then grouped on the basis of age (<60 years or ≥60 years) and the results compared between groups.

RESULTS

Eighty-nine eyes of 80 patients were evaluated. The angle, angle-opening distance at 500 μm, and trabecular-iris space area at 500 μm increased significantly after cataract surgery in the entire study population (P<.001). There were larger postoperative differences in all 3 parameters in nasal and temporal measurements in patients 60 years or older (all P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The angle changed significantly after cataract surgery, particularly in the temporal quadrant and its magnitudes. Postoperative angle changes were larger in older patients, which may be related to the increase in lens volume during the aging process. Fourier-domain AS-OCT can be used as a rapid and safe tool in addition to diagnostic gonioscopy in assessing anterior chamber angles.