Age- and sex-related differences in the measures of anterior segment parameters in a myopic clinical sample using Pentacam Scheimpflug tomography.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To assess age-and sex-related differences of anterior segment parameters in a myopic clinical sample. METHODS: This clinic-based retrospective study involved eligible subjects grouped into myopia (i.e., low-to-moderate) and high myopia. Demographics and anterior segment parameters measures were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: Some 153 eligible eyes were analyzed-98 myopia and 55 high myopia-comprising 87 males and 66 females. The mean ages and ranges were 28.47 years (SD = 9.59 years), 8-50 years, and 27.82 years (SD = 9.69 years), 10-51 years, for the myopia and the high myopia groups, respectively. The means of the spherical equivalents were - 3.02 D (SD = 1.46 D, range - 0.50 to - 5.85 D), for the myopia group and - 10.42 D (SD = 5.50 D, range - 6.00 to - 21.86 D) for the high myopia group. No significant difference was found between degree of myopia and anterior segment measures. Males had larger anterior chamber volume (mean 175.71 ± 26.27, range 124-225 mm3); (P = 0.007) and deeper anterior chamber depth (3.73 ± 0.27, range 3.06-4.41 mm) (P = 0.017) than females in the myopia group. Females also had significantly steeper anterior corneal curvature, Km (ant.) but flatter posterior corneal curvature, Km (post.), (- 6.31 ± 0.25, range - 7.00 to - 5.90 D) in both the myopia group [Km (ant.) 44.06 D ± 1.33 D, range 41.30-47.10; Km (post.) - 6.31 D ± 0.25 D, range - 7.00 to - 5.90; P = 0.008, P = 0.002, respectively] and the high myopia group [Km (ant.) 43.79 D ± 0.33 D, range 41.00-47.10; Km (post.) - 6.22 D ± 0.30 D, range - 6.80 to - 5.60; P = 0.034, P = 0.049, respectively]. Age was not correlated with the anterior segment parameters in both degrees of myopia. CONCLUSION: Sex has significant influence on the corneal curvature, anterior chamber volume and anterior chamber depth regardless of the degree of myopia.