Effect of Angle Narrowing on Sectoral Variation of Anterior Chamber Angle Width: The Chinese American Eye Study

Purpose: To characterize the relationship between mean and sectoral variation of anterior chamber angle (ACA) width using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT).

Methods: Subjects aged 50 years or older were identified from the Chinese American Eye Study (CHES), a population-based epidemiological study in Los Angeles, CA. Each subject underwent a complete ocular examination including gonioscopy and AS-OCT imaging. Primary angle closure disease (PACD) was defined as inability to visualize pigmented trabecular meshwork in 3 or more quadrants. Four AS-OCT images from one eye per subject were analyzed and parameters describing ACA width were measured at 500 and 750 μm from the scleral spur: angle opening distance (AOD), trabecular iris space area (TISA), and scleral spur angle (SSA). The relationship between mean and sectoral variation of ACA width was assessed using locally-weighted scatterplot smoothing (LOWESS) regression and change-point analyses and Spearman correlation coefficients.

Results: 674 eyes (337 with PACD, 337 without PACD) from 674 subjects were analyzed. Overall, sectoral variation of ACA width decreased as mean ACA width decreased. This relationship was divided into two phases based on the change-point analysis. Sectoral variation of ACA width was strongly and significantly correlated (P < 0.001) with mean ACA width with below parameter-specific change points for most parameters: AOD500 (r = 0.599), AOD750 (r = 0.246), TISA500 (r = 0.734), TISA750 (r = 0.664), SSA500 (r = 0.661), SSA750 (r = 0.394). Correlations were weaker but still significant (P < 0.004) above these change points for most parameters: AOD500 (r = 0.321), AOD750 (r = 0.550), TISA500 (r = 0.122), TISA750 (r = 0.275), SSA500 (r = -0.036), SSA750 (r = 0.313). Correlations to the left and right of the change points strengthened when sectoral variation of ACA width was adjusted for mean ACA width.

Conclusions: Correlations between mean and sectoral variation of ACA width strengthen as the severity of angle narrowing worsens. This relationship likely reflects anatomical changes related to chronic angle closure and may be relevant for refining current definitions and management of PACD.