Assessment of the variability and correlation of biometric measurements in eyes with cataracts.

PURPOSE: To assess the variability and correlation of ocular biometric parameters in eyes with cataracts and examine their association with age and gender.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on biometric data from 7,458 eyes without retinal pathologies, using an optical biometer equipped with low-coherence reflectometry technology. Pearson's correlation coefficients (r) were used to evaluate the relationships between age, gender, and various ocular parameters, including axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT), central corneal thickness (CCT), corneal refractive power (Km), and white-to-white (WTW) measurement.

RESULTS

The mean AL was 23.82 ± 1.83 mm (SD). Among the study cohort, 8.0 % (593 eyes) were categorized as having short AL (AL ≤ 22 mm), 60.5 % (4,520 eyes) as having normal AL (22 mm < AL ≤ 24 mm), 21.2 % (1,579 eyes) as having long AL (24 mm < AL ≤ 26 mm), and 10.3 % (766 eyes) as having a AL (> 26 mm). The mean age of the cohort was 64.18 ± 14.95 years (range: 18 - 98 years), with males averaging 56.53 ± 13.88 years and females averaging 72.19 ± 11.41 years. Mean values for ACD, LT, Km, CCT, WTW, and angle kappa were found to vary with both age and gender. Males demonstrated significantly longer AL, deeper ACD, thicker LT, larger WTW, and lower Km compared to females (P < 0.05). Although males exhibited a greater anterior segment length (ASL), this difference did not reach statistical significance (P > 0.05). No significant correlation was found between ACD and AL in the short and long AL groups, while a positive correlation was observed in the normal and long AL groups. Additionally, LT demonstrated a negative correlation with AL in the normal AL group but a positive correlation in the long AL group.

CONCLUSIONS

Cataracts develop at a greater age in female patients than in males. Ocular biometric parameters, including ACD, LT, CCT, Km, and (WTW) measurement, are influenced by age and gender. Lens thickness is the primary factor affecting ACD, though CCT, Km, and WTW also play significant roles. Furthermore, a negative correlation between AL and LT was identified, with variations depending on AL classification.