Biometry and visual function of a healthy cohort in Leipzig, Germany. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zocher, Maria; Rozema, Jos; Oertel, Nicole; Dawczynski, Jens; Wiedemann, Peter; Rauscher, Franziska
• Is Part Of: BMC ophthalmology. Volume 16:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 20
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Ocular biometry -- Visual function -- Gullstrand -- Cross section -- Dioptric distance; Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; 617.7005
• DOI: 10.1186/s12886-016-0232-2
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-2415

Abstract

Abstract Background Cross-sectional survey of ocular biometry and visual function in healthy eyes across the life span of a German population aged 20 to 69 years (n = 218). Subject number in percent per age category reflected the percentage within the respective age band of the population of Leipzig, Germany. Methods Measurements obtained: subjective and objective refraction, best-corrected visual acuity, accommodation, contrast sensitivity, topography and pachymetry with Scheimpflug camera, axial length with non-contact partial coherence interferometry, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography of the retina. Pearson correlation coefficients with correspondingp -values were given to present interrelationships between stature, biometric and refractive parameters or their associations with age. Two-sampleT -tests were used to calculate gender differences. The area under the logarithmic contrast sensitivity function (AULCSF) was calculated for the analysis of contrast sensitivity as a single figure across a range of spatial frequencies. Results The results of axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD) and anterior chamber volume (ACV) differed as a function of the age of the participants (rho (p value): AL −0.19 (0.006), ACD −0.56 (< 0.001), ACV-0.52 (< 0.001)). Longer eyes had deeper ACD (AL:ACD 0.62 (< 0.001), greater ACV (AL:ACV 0.65 (< 0.001) and steeper corneal radii (AL:R1ant; R2ant; R1post; R2post 0.40; 0.35; 0.36; 0.36 (all with (< 0.001)). Spherical equivalent was associated with age (towards hyperopia: 0.34 (< 0.001)), AL (−0.66 (< 0.001)), ACD (−0.52 (< 0.001)) and ACV (−0.46 (< 0.001)). Accommodation was found lower for older subjects (negative association with age, r = −0.82 (< 0.001)) and contrast sensitivity presented with smaller values for older ages (AULCSF −0.38, (< 0.001)), no change of retinal thickness with age. 58 % of the study cohort presented with a change of refractive correction above ±0.50 D in one or both eyes (64 % of these were habitual spectacle wearers), need for improvement was present in the young age-group and for older subjects with increasing age. Conclusion Biometrical data of healthy German eyes, stratified by age, gender and refractive status, enabled cross-comparison of all parameters, providing an important reference database for future patient-based research and specific in-depth investigations of biometric data in epidemiological research. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT01173614 July 28, 2010