Identification of Normal Fornix Depth Dataset Generated with a Validated Fornix Meter in Healthy Turkish Population.

PURPOSE: To provide an age and sex-classified reference dataset for normal fornix depth by measuring the lower and upper conjunctival fornix depth (FD) in healthy volunteers.

METHODS

An epidemiological, prospective, cross-sectional study evaluates conjunctival FDs in 301 healthy Turkish volunteers aged 20-83. Fornix measurements were made using a validated fornix depth measurer (FDM).

RESULTS

The mean age was 49.2 ± 19 in males and 48.6 ± 16.2 in females. The mean upper and lower conjunctival FDs were 15.9 (12-21) mm and 10.1 (6-13) mm, respectively. The mean upper and lower FDs were 15.4 (13-20) mm and 9.7 (6-13) mm in females, and 16.3 (12-21) mm and 10.5 (8-13) mm in males, respectively.   .

CONCLUSION

When the normative dataset created in healthy Turkish volunteers, it was observed that both the upper and lower FDs were shallower in females and that they gradually became shallower with age. Accordingly, when an evaluation for conjunctival pathology is to be made, the expected normal FD value for both age and sex should be considered.