Anterior chamber depth in normal subjects by rotating scheimpflug imaging.

PURPOSE: Anterior chamber depth (ACD) is an important preoperative parameter in anterior segment surgery. Several factors are known to influence ACD, including race and geography. Our purpose was to sample data from various countries to characterize differences in ACD worldwide and, if any, assess their level of clinical significance.

SETTING

International, multicenter.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study. Using the Pentacam Eye Scanner (OCULUS GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany), we analyzed ACD measurements from 1077 eyes of 568 normal adults from nine countries spanning six continents. Differences between countries were assessed by comparison of 95% confidence intervals and by ANOVA. Normative thresholds were constructed at three standard deviations (SD) above and below the mean.

RESULTS

Mean ACD was 3.11 mm overall, ranging from 2.91 mm (New Zealand) to 3.24 mm (United States). The ACD among New Zealanders was significantly shallower (P < .0001) than that among Chinese, Egyptians, Germans, Indians, and Americans. The maximum difference in the mean ACDs was 0.33 mm, between New Zealand and the United States. The shallowest 0.15% of normal ACD values occurred below 2.04 mm overall, ranging from 1.69 mm (New Zealand) to 2.42 mm (United States). The deepest 0.15% of normal ACD values occurred above 4.18 mm overall, ranging from 4.03 mm (Saudi Arabia) to 4.35 mm (Brazil).

CONCLUSIONS

ACD did not vary significantly in the countries studied, with the notable exception of New Zealand. Surgeons should anticipate a greater likelihood of a shallow ACD when evaluating patients from New Zealand. Clinical examination and direct measurement of ACD are recommended. Finally, deep ACD has limited clinical utility in screening for keratoconus.