Ultrasound biomicroscopic study on changes of ocular anterior segment structure after topical application of cycloplegia

OBJECTIVES: To observe the changes of the ocular anterior segment structure and the relationship between the intraocular pressure (IOP) and these changes after the topical application of cycloplegia using ultrasound biomicroscope (UBM), especially to observe the changes of ciliary body thickness, ciliary process thickness and ciliary process-lens distance. METHODS: The quantitative measurement with UBM and the measurement of IOP were performed before and after the topical application of 2% homatropine solution in 48 normal eyes. The results were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: In the parameters showing the changes of the anterior chamber angle after topical use of 2% homatropine solution, both the trabecular iris angle and the angle opening distance 250 decreased. The iris thickness 1 increased. The anterior chamber became deeper and the iris-lens contact distance became shorter. All these differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). In the parameters showing the changes of ciliary body, the ciliary body thickness and the ciliary process thickness decreased. The scleral ciliary body angle increased. The iris-zonule distance decreased and the ciliary process-lens distance increased. All these differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The IOP increased from 17.63 +/- 3.45 mm Hg to 18.23 +/- 3.53 mm Hg after topical use of 2% homatropine solution, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: After the topical use of cycloplegia, the anterior chamber becomes deeper. The anterior chamber angle becomes narrower, and the ciliary body becomes thinner and moves backward and the ciliary process-lens distance increases. By using UBM the structures of the ocular anterior segment in the living state can be observed and measured quantitatively. The ultrasound biomicroscopic imaging has its advantages in the morphological study of the ocular anterior segment.