Anterior chamber depth measurements in phakic and pseudophakic eyes: Pentacam versus ultrasound device

PURPOSE: To compare anterior chamber depth (ACD) measurements with a new optical device with those taken with a standard ultrasound (US) device in emmetropic phakic and pseudophakic eyes. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Health and Science Center, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary. METHODS: Forty-two phakic and 42 pseudophakic patients with normal axial lengths (mean 22.91 mm +/- 1.21 [SD]) were enrolled in the study. The ACD was measured 3 times with Scheimpflug-based Pentacam (Oculus) and then 3 times with a standard A-scan US device (AL-2000, Tomey). The data were then analyzed. RESULTS: In the phakic group, the mean ACID was 2.87 +/- 0.4 mm with the Pentacam and 2.89 +/- 0.49 mm with ultrasound A-scan (US) (P =.84). In the pseudophakic group, the mean ACD was 3.41 +/- 0.28 mm and 3.97 +/- 0.45 mm, respectively (P<.001). The correlation between measurements was significant in both the phakic and pseudophakic groups (r =.547/P<.001 and r =.404/P =.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In phakic eyes, ACD measured with the Pentacam and with US was the same. However, in pseudophakic eyes, the difference was significantly lower when the ACD was measured with the Pentacam. Therefore, in pseudophakic patients, further evaluation of ACD data with the Scheimpflug-based system is necessary.