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.