TJ-CEO
2008 , Vol 3 , Num 4
Is Anterior Chamber Depth a Predictor of Previous Trauma in Cataract Patients?
1Atatürk Eğiitm Araştırma Hastanesi Göz Hastalıkları Kliniği, Ankara, Uzm. Dr.2Atatürk Eğiitm Araştırma Hastanesi Göz Hastalıkları Kliniği, Ankara, Prof. Dr. Purpose: To investigate the differences in the anterior chamber depth (ACD) between cataract patients with and without a trauma history.
Material and Methods: The study was carried out in the 1st Ophthalmology Clinic of Atatürk Education and Research Hospital. All patients had undergone complete ophthalmologic examination preoperatively including measurement of visual acuity, slit-lamp examination, fundoscopy, intraocular pressure measurement with applanation tonometer, A and B mode ocular ultrasonography. A-scan ultrasound examination was performed to measure the anterior chamber depth and total axial length. Patients with mature cataracts, angle recession, pseudoexfoliation, axial myopia, angle closure glaucoma, or zonular weakness were excluded form the study.
Results: There were 29 cases in the group with trauma history and 35 cases in the control group (Mean age: 56.8±15.9 years and 53.1±18.1 years in the trauma group and in the control groups respectively, p=0.184). Mean ACD measurements of eyes in the control group (3.22±0.36 mm) was less than that of the eyes in the group with history of trauma (3.46±0.55 mm), although it was not statistically significant (p=0.052).
Interpretation: Measurements of increased anterior chamber depth in cataract patients may be a clue of an implicit traumatic cataract in the absence of a trauma history. Surgical plans taking into consideration this possibility may prevent some unpredictable events in such cases. Keywords : Trauma, anterior chamber depth, cataract