[Aging effect on peripheral anterior chamber depth in male and female subjects investigated by scanning peripheral anterior chamber depth analyzer].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the distribution of anterior chamber depth (ACD), the influence of age and sex on ACD, and the frequency of eyes with a shallow anterior chamber, the scanning peripheral anterior chamber (SPAC) depth analyzer was used in measuring these parameters in subjects visiting a health screening center.


METHODS
Paramedical staff measured the ACD of 285 subjects (250 eyes of 141 men, 264 eyes of 144 women) who visited the health screening center between October 31 and December 22, 2005. Based on the data provided by SPAC, the following parameters were determined : distribution of ACD from the central region to the peripheral region, distribution of the grades of ACD, frequency of suspected or possible angle-closure eyes, and number of measurable points.


RESULTS
ACD decreased with age, and peripheral ACDs of subjects 60 years of age or older were significantly shallower than those of subjects younger than 60, both in men and in women. The ACD tended to be shallower in women than in men in each generation. The high risk of angle closure among women was estimated as 1.6%, and possible angle closure was considered likely for 1.9% of women. Among men, 0.8% were considered vulnerable to possible angle closure. Women 50 years of age or older were at greater risk.


CONCLUSIONS
The decrease with age in peripheral ACD was shown quantitatively in both men and women. Eyes at risk for angle closure were more frequent in women 50 years of age or older.
Department of Ophthalmology, Kofu Kyoritsu Hospital. 1-9-1 Takara, Kofu 400-0034, Japan. jun119@oboe.onc.ne.jp
Junko
J
Kamo
Mayumi
M
Saso
Makoto
M
Tsuruta
Kayoko
K
Sumino
Kenji
K
Kashiwagi
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology*; D000867:Anterior Chamber / Q000473:pathology*; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012727:Sex Characteristics