Morphologic Changes in the Anterior Segment using Ultrasound Biomicroscopy after Cataract Surgery and Intraocular Lens Implantation

Purpose To evaluate morphologic changes in the anterior segment using ultrasound biomicroscopic imaging (UBM) after phacoemulsification and foldable intraocular lens implantation (IOL). Methods Thirty-six patients with a mean age of 68.68 ± 8.44 years (range 51-89) who had phacoemulsification and foldable IOL implantation were included in this prospective study. Several anterior segment parameters including aqueous depth (AQD), trabecular meshwork-iris angle (TIA), ciliary body thickness (CBT), sclera thickness (ST), trabecular meshwork-ciliary process distance (T-CPD), iris-ciliary processes distance (I-CPD), and iris thickness (IT) were measured using UBM preoperatively and at postoperative month 2. Results There was a significant increase in AQD (p<0.001) and TIA (p<0.001) at postoperative month 2. However, CBT, ST, T-CPD, I-CPD, and IT did not significantly change (p>0.05) during the study period. Conclusions Removal of the crystalline lens results in change in the anterior segment parameters. Our results confirmed that UBM is a helpful option for the analysis of anterior segment structures both qualitatively and quantitatively.