Changes in the anterior chamber configuration after small-incision cataract surgery with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation.
OBJECTIVE
To report quantitative changes in the anterior chamber configuration after small-incision cataract surgery with implantation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens by means of ultrasound biomicroscopy.


METHODS
We examined the anterior chamber configuration of 20 eyes of 20 patients before and 3 months after small-incision cataract surgery (phacoemulsification and aspiration plus foldable intraocular lens implantation through a 3.0- to 4.0-mm self-sealing wound) by means of ultrasound biomicroscopy. The following variables were measured: the anterior chamber depth at the center of the cornea, the angle-opening distance 250 microns from the scleral spur (AOD250), the angle-opening distance 500 microns from the scleral spur (AOD500), and the trabecular-iris angle.


RESULTS
The anterior chamber depth at the center of the cornea, AOD250, AOD500, and trabecular-iris angle increased significantly after surgery. The preoperative anterior chamber depth at the center of the cornea and trabecular-iris angle were negatively correlated with the differences between the postoperative and preoperative values (P < .01). The preoperative values of all variables examined were negatively correlated with the ratios of the postoperative value to the preoperative value (P < .002).


CONCLUSIONS
The present results showed that small-incision cataract surgery significantly deepened the anterior chamber and widened its angle. The more shallow the preoperative anterior chamber was, the greater the postoperative change of the chamber was; and the more narrow the preoperative angle was, the greater the postoperative change of the angle was.
Kurimoto
Y
Y
Department of Ophthalmology, Kobe City General Hospital, Japan. kurinae@med.shinshu-u.ac.jp
Park
M
M
Sakaue
H
H
Kondo
T
T
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000867:Anterior Chamber / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003315:Cornea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006068:Gonioscopy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000379:methods; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014463:Ultrasonography