To evaluate changes in anterior chamber depth (ACD) and angle after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT).

Seventy-eight eyes of 69 patients had uneventful phacoemulsification and IOL implantation using a clear corneal incision. Anterior segment OCT images of nasal and temporal angle quadrants were obtained before and at one month after surgery. The angle-referenced (ACD1), pupil-referenced (ACD2), lens-referenced (ACD3) ACDs, crystalline lens rise (CLR), nasal and temporal iridocorneal angles, angle opening distance at 500 µm (AOD500), and trabecular iris surface area at 750 µm (TISA750) were measured. Preoperative and postoperative measurements were compared using paired sample t -tests.

The mean ACD1 was 3.19±0.24 mm preoperatively and 3.22±0.21 mm at one month postoperatively (P=0.21); ACD2 was 2.99±0.40 mm preoperatively and 3.56±0.28 mm at one month postoperatively ( P <0.05); ACD3 was 2.75±0.41 mm preoperatively and 4.00±0.27 mm at one month postoperatively ( P <0.05). The mean iridocorneal angles, AOD500, and TISA750 for both nasal and temporal sides increased significantly at the postoperative examinations ( P <0.05).

Changes in anterior chamber angle after cataract surgery can be objectively quantified by anterior segment OCT. Deepening of the anterior chamber and widening of the nasal and temporal angles after cataract extraction were shown on AS-OCT.