Age- and sex-related differences in the measures of anterior segment parameters in a myopic clinical sample using Pentacam Scheimpflug tomography

Purpose To assess age-and sex-related differences of anterior segment parameters in a myopic clinical sample. Methods This clinic-based retrospective study involved eligible subjects grouped into myopia (i.e., low-to-moderate) and high myopia. Demographics and anterior segment parameters measures were recorded and analyzed. Results Some 153 eligible eyes were analyzed—98 myopia and 55 high myopia—comprising 87 males and 66 females. The mean ages and ranges were 28.47 years (SD = 9.59 years), 8–50 years, and 27.82 years (SD = 9.69 years), 10–51 years, for the myopia and the high myopia groups, respectively. The means of the spherical equivalents were − 3.02 D (SD = 1.46 D, range: − 0.50 to − 5.85 D), for the myopia group and − 10.42 D (SD = 5.50 D, range: − 6.00 to − 21.86 D) for the high myopia group. No significant difference was found between degree of myopia and anterior segment measures. Males had larger anterior chamber volume (mean 175.71 ± 26.27, range: 124–225 mm 3 ); ( P = 0.007) and deeper anterior chamber depth (3.73 ± 0.27, range: 3.06–4.41 mm) ( P = 0.017) than females in the myopia group. Females also had significantly steeper anterior corneal curvature, Km (ant.) but flatter posterior corneal curvature, Km (post.), (− 6.31 ± 0.25, range − 7.00 to − 5.90 D) in both the myopia group [Km (ant.): 44.06 D ± 1.33 D, range: 41.30–47.10; Km (post.): − 6.31 D ± 0.25 D, range: − 7.00 to − 5.90; P = 0.008, P = 0.002, respectively] and the high myopia group [Km (ant.): 43.79 D ± 0.33 D, range: 41.00–47.10; Km (post.): − 6.22 D ± 0.30 D, range: − 6.80 to − 5.60; P = 0.034, P = 0.049, respectively]. Age was not correlated with the anterior segment parameters in both degrees of myopia. Conclusion Sex has significant influence on the corneal curvature, anterior chamber volume and anterior chamber depth regardless of the degree of myopia.