Anterior segment measurements obtained with SS-OCT vary significantly by age and sex, with children, younger adults, and older adults each showing distinct patterns in corneal, lens, and pupil parameters, according to a study.
Researchers analyzed the right eyes of 390 healthy participants, grouped by age and sex, to evaluate how keratometry, total corneal power, corneal thickness, pupil size, lens thickness, and white-to-white distance vary throughout life.
Children had the largest pupils and thickest central corneas, but the thinnest lenses, whereas adults showed progressive lens thickening with age. Pupil diameter consistently decreased over time. Pediatric participants also demonstrated steeper anterior and total astigmatism compared with adults, regardless of sex.
Adult women exhibited higher anterior and posterior keratometry values than men, and among children, girls had thicker central corneas. Lens thickness was significantly higher in men over 45.
The authors note that establishing dependable normative values is essential for refractive surgery planning and evaluating corneal disease. They recommend expanding future research to include larger pediatric cohorts to strengthen clinical reference standards.
Reference
Sonmez HK, Akkul Z, Sener H, et al. Age- and Sex-Related Normative Anterior Segment Parameters Using Swept-Source OCT: Insights from Pediatric to Elderly Populations. J Clin Med. 2025;14(21):7558. doi: 10.3390/jcm14217558. PMID: 41226955; PMCID: PMC12608303.
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