Analysis of biometry and prevalence data for corneal astigmatism in 23 239 eyes

TLDR

The study aims to present and analyze biometry and prevalence data for corneal astigmatism in a large population of 23,239 eyes. Data were collected from 23,239 eyes of 15,448 patients (median age 74) at a high‑volume German eye‑surgery center, with axial length, corneal radius, anterior chamber depth, and white‑to‑white diameter measured by partial‑coherence interferometry (IOLMaster). The analysis revealed mean axial length 23.43 mm, corneal radius 7.69 mm, WTW 11.82 mm, ACD 3.11 mm, with ACD and astigmatic axis correlating with age, all biometric parameters intercorrelating, 8 % of eyes exhibiting >2 D astigmatism (2.6 % >3 D), a rule‑with distribution of 46.8 % versus against‑rule 34.4 % and oblique 18.9 %, and high astigmatism mainly WTW; these data provide normative references for cataract patients.

Abstract

To present and analyze biometry data sets and prevalence data for corneal astigmatism in a large population.High-volume eye surgery center, Castrop-Rauxel, Germany.Axial length (AL), corneal radii, anterior chamber depth (ACD), and horizontal corneal diameter (white-to-white [WTW] distance) were optically measured by partial coherence interferometry (IOLMaster). Patient data sets acquired between 2000 and 2006 were reviewed and analyzed.The study evaluated 23,239 data sets of 15,448 patients with a median age of 74 years. The mean values were as follows: AL, 23.43 mm +/- 1.51 (SD); corneal radius, 7.69 +/- 0.28 mm; WTW distance, 11.82 +/- 0.40 mm; and ACD, 3.11 +/- 0.43 mm. The ACD and axis of astigmatism were correlated with age. The AL, corneal radius, ACD, and WTW were correlated with one other. Eight percent of eyes had corneal astigmatism greater than 2.00 diopters (D), and 2.6% had more than 3.00 D. Astigmatism was with the rule (WTW) in 46.8% of eyes, against the rule in 34.4%, and oblique in 18.9%. High astigmatism was predominantly WTW.The results in this analysis might provide normative data for cataract patients and a useful reference for multiple purposes. The correlation of AL with corneal radius, ACD, and corneal diameter in normal eyes was not present in eyes with extreme myopia or hyperopia.