Ultrasonography measurement and slit-lamp estimate of anterior chamber depth in adult Saudi Arabians

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The depth of the anterior chamber can be used to identify patients who are likely to develop primary angle closure glaucoma and those patients who should not be dilated prior to refraction as a precaution against inducing angle closure glaucoma. The aim of this study was to determine the average anterior chamber depth for adult Saudi Arabians of Arab origin. Methods A-mode ultrasonography and an optical technique were used to measure and estimate the anterior chamber depth. The latter technique involves using the slit-lamp without additional attachments. The procedure involves increasing the length of a horizontal slit until the corneal and iris/lens images appear just to touch [just-touching-slit-length]. Fifty-three men aged between 16 and 42 years and 37 women aged between 19 and 45 years were studied. Results The mean ultrasonographic anterior chamber depth in the women was 3.04mm compared with 3.3 1mm in the men. The average just-touching-slit-length was 2.25mm in the women and 2.65mm in the men, The ultrasonographic anterior chamber depth can be estimated by multiplying the just-touching-slit-length by 1.30. The optical method provides an anterior chamber depth estimate accuracy of approximately +/- 0.30mm, relative to the ultrasonographic technique. 16 and 45 years same age range. The average anterior chamber depth of adult Saudi Arabians between the ages of is similar to that of adult Northern Europeans and American Caucasians of the Men have a greater anterior chamber depth than women