Anterior Chamber and Lens Position before and after Phacoemulsification According to Axial Length

Purpose: In this study, we evaluated changes in the anterior chamber structure and lens position before and after phacoemulsification in eyes grouped by axial length (AL). Methods: This study included 65 eyes (16 short eyes [AL < 22.5 mm], 33 normal eyes [22.5 mm < AL < 25.0 mm], and 16 long eyes [AL > 25.5 mm]) that underwent cataract surgery. Pre- and postoperative anterior chamber depth (ACD) was measured using Pentacam (R) and IOL Master (R). In addition, we evaluated the anterior chamber angle (ACA), anterior chamber volume (ACV), epithelium-iris distance, and iris-lens (intraocular lens [IOL]) distance. Results: The change in ACD was significantly smaller in long eyes (Pentacam (R), p = 0.000; IOL Master (R), p = 0.001). The change in ACA was significantly larger in short eyes (p = 0.000), and the change in ACV was significantly smaller in long eyes (p = 0.000). The change in the epithelium-iris distance was significantly smaller in long eyes (p = 0.000), and the change in the iris-lens (IOL) distance was significantly smaller in short eyes (p = 0.000). Conclusions: In short eyes, changes in ACD, ACA, and ACV were found to be larger than those of other groups as the iris moved backward. In long eyes, greater backward movement of the IOL was observed. Therefore, the appropriate IOL power should be chosen, considering the postoperative position of the IOL during cataract surgery of short and long eyes.