Ocular biometric values of the black African patient and theoretical consideration of the role of these values in various pathologies: Analysis of 325 eyes

Introduction: The international literature seldom refers to mensurations of the eye of the black African patient. Therefore, the various patterns where biometry elements are used as constituents deserve reconsideration as they may not correspond to the eye of the black patient of our region. This study provides true mensurations for the black African patient in Ivory Coast. It also establishes hypotheses by extrapolating the role of mensurations to pathologies such as glaucoma. Material and method: The study included 325 eyes of 217 male and female patients. All the patients underwent ocular keratometrics and echo biometrics to measure the depth of the anterior chamber, the width of the lens, and the total axial length with the ultrascan biometer using the contact method in A echometrics. Results: The mean keratometry in women was significantly higher than in men (43.99 ± 1.62 diopters vs 43.46 ± 1.45 diopters). The anterior chamber was deeper in men (2.69 mm ± 0.54 vs 2.53 mm ± 0.48). The men's eyes were significantly longer, with an axial length of 23.26 mm ± 1.07 vs 22.56 mm ± 0.90. Conclusion: Significant biometric differences between men's and women's eyes, on the one hand, and between black African and white patients' eyes, on the other hand, can be observed. The reasons for these differences are several: they are natural, socioeconomic, and technical.If standard implant of a different power for black and white patients can be imagined, can we also infer that the biometrics of a black African patient predisposes him to a disorder such as glaucoma more than a white patient? Further in-depth studies could provide an answer to this question. © 2007. Elsevier Masson SAS.