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Kristine E. Lee, MS; Barbara E. K. Klein, MD, MPH; Ronald Klein, MD, MPH; Zoe Quandt, BS; Tien Yin Wong, MD, PhD

Arch Ophthalmol. 2009;127(1):88-93.

Objective  To describe ocular biometry relationships in older white adults.

Methods  Ocular dimensions were measured with partial coherence laser interferometry in 1968 persons (aged 58-100 years, 59% female) seen at the fourth examination of the Beaver Dam Eye Study. Generalized estimating equations–modeled associations of age, sex, height, and education with ocular dimensions: axial length, corneal curvature radius, and anterior chamber depth.

Results  The mean axial length was 23.69 mm; mean corneal curvature radius was 7.70 mm; and mean anterior chamber depth was 3.11 mm. Participants younger than 65 years had larger eyes (longer axial length, greater corneal curvature radius, and deeper anterior chamber depth) than persons aged 75 years or older. Mean axial length was 23.86 mm, 23.66 mm, and 23.55 mm in people aged 64 years and younger, 65 to 74 years, and 75 years or older, respectively. Generally, larger eyes were observed in men (vs women) and in taller (>178 vs 158 cm) and more educated (>16 vs <12 years) persons. Adjustment for height accounted for all sex differences. Age differences in axial length were attenuated (P = .06) after adjustment for both height and education.

Conclusion  In this older white population, age and sex variations in ocular dimensions are partially explained by differences in stature and education.

Author Affiliations: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison (Ms Lee and Drs B. E. K. Klein and R. Klein); Department of Epidemiology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California (Ms Quandt); and Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Melbourne (Dr Wong). Ms Quandt is now with the University California–Berkeley/University of California–San Francisco Joint Medical Program, Berkeley.

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