Measurements of white-to-white corneal diameter and anterior chamber parameters using the Pentacam AXL wave and their correlations in the adult Saudi population

Background Assessment of eye parameters such as the white-to-white (WTW) corneal diameter, anterior chamber depth (ACD), and anterior chamber angle (ACA) are essential for preoperative evaluation of refractive surgery and diagnosing and managing some ocular diseases. Objective To report the distribution and association between white-to-white corneal diameter and anterior chamber parameters in the Saudi adult population. Methods Cross-sectional prospective study consisting of 82 Saudi adults. White-to-white corneal diameter, anterior chamber angle, anterior chamber depth, and axial length were collected from healthy subjects using the Pentacam AXL Wave in a tertiary eye care setting. Results Mean white-to-white corneal diameter, anterior chamber angle, anterior chamber depth, and axial length were 11.95 ± 0.39 mm, 37.94 ± 5.01°, 2.97 ± 0.31 mm and 23.93 ± 0.97 mm, respectively. A significant moderate correlation was found between white-to-white corneal diameter and anterior chamber angle (r = 0.31, p ≤ 0.01), anterior chamber depth (r = 0.49, p ≤ 0.01), and axial length (r = 0.50, p ≤ 0.01) and between anterior chamber angle and anterior chamber depth (r = 0.71, p ≤ 0.01). Furthermore, age was moderately correlated with anterior chamber angle (r = 0.44, p 0.01) and anterior chamber depth (r = 0.39, p 0.01) and weakly correlated with white-to-white corneal diameter (r =0.17, p = 0.12). Males had a significantly ( p < 0.01) higher white-to-white corneal diameter (12.12 ± 0.38 mm) than females (11.84 ± 0.36.mm). Conclusion Reference values for white-to-white corneal diameter and anterior chamber parameters would help eye care professionals choose the right lenses for cataract and refractive surgeries as well as in diagnosing glaucoma and corneal disorders.