title: Three-Dimensional Morphometric Analysis of the Iris by Swept-Source Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography in a Caucasian Population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We analyzed by swept-source anterior segment optical coherence tomography (SS-ASOCT) the three-dimensional iris morphology in a Caucasian population, and correlated the findings with iris color, iris sectors, subject age, and sex.
  
  
  METHODS
  One eye each from consecutive healthy emmetropic (refractive spherical equivalent ± 3 diopters) volunteers were selected for the study. The enrolled eye underwent standardized anterior segment photography to assess iris color. Iris images were assessed by SS-ASOCT for volume, thickness, width, and pupil size. Sectoral variations of morphometric data among the superior, nasal, inferior, and temporal sectors were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 135 eyes from 57 males and 78 females, age 49 ± 17 years, fulfilled the inclusion criteria. All iris morphometric parameters varied significantly among the different sectors (all P < 0.0001). Iris total volume and thickness were significantly correlated with increasingly darker pigmentation (P < 0.0001, P = 0.0384, respectively). Neither width nor pupil diameter was influenced by iris color. Age did not affect iris volume or thickness; iris width increased and pupil diameter decreased with age (rs = 0.52, rs = -0.58, respectively). There was no effect of sex on iris volume, thickness, or pupil diameter; iris width was significantly greater in males (P = 0.007).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Morphology of the iris varied by iris sector, and iris color was associated with differences in iris volume and thickness. Morphological parameter variations associated with iris color, sector, age, and sex can be used to identify pathological changes in suspect eyes. To be effective in clinical settings, construction of iris morphological databases for different ethnic and racial populations is essential.
authors.affiliation: Eye Clinic Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science, Luigi Sacco Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy 2Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Ophthalmological Unit, IRCCS-Cà Granda Foundation-Ospedale Maggio.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Invernizzi
authors.affiliation: Eye Clinic Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science, Luigi Sacco Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Piero
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Giardini
authors.affiliation: Eye Clinic Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science, Luigi Sacco Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cigada
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Ophthalmological Unit, IRCCS-Cà Granda Foundation-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Viola
authors.affiliation: Eye Clinic Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science, Luigi Sacco Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Staurenghi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000869:Anterior Eye Segment / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D007498:Iris / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods*; D044465:White People; D055815:Young Adult