OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the age-related changes in the position of zonular insertion onto the anterior lens capsule. DESIGN: The study design was an experimental cadaveric eye study. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred twenty-three cadaveric eyes (range, 16-100 years old) from eye banks in the United States were studied. INTERVENTION: The zonular insertion onto the anterior capsule was detected using a modified posterior photographic technique. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The distances from the anterior zonular insertion (AZI) to the lens equator and to the ciliary sulcus, size of zonular-free zone, lens diameter, ciliary sulcus diameter, and axial length of the globe were measured. RESULTS: Multiple regression analysis showed that age, lens diameter, and axial length of the globe had significant correlations with AZI (r2 = 0.748), among which age showed the highest relevance with AZI. Multiple regression equation was expressed as AZI = (0.0079 x age) + (0.202 x lens diameter) - (0.041 x axial length of the globe) + 0.0114. The increase in AZI was accompanied by a decrease in the size of zonular-free zone with age (r = -0.206, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Aging correlates with an increase in the distance from the anterior zonular insertion to the lens equator and a decrease in zonular-free zone.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the age-related changes in the position of zonular insertion onto the anterior lens capsule. DESIGN: The study design was an experimental cadaveric eye study. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred twenty-three cadaveric eyes (range, 16-100 years old) from eye banks in the United States were studied. INTERVENTION: The zonular insertion onto the anterior capsule was detected using a modified posterior photographic technique. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The distances from the anterior zonular insertion (AZI) to the lens equator and to the ciliary sulcus, size of zonular-free zone, lens diameter, ciliary sulcus diameter, and axial length of the globe were measured. RESULTS: Multiple regression analysis showed that age, lens diameter, and axial length of the globe had significant correlations with AZI (r2 = 0.748), among which age showed the highest relevance with AZI. Multiple regression equation was expressed as AZI = (0.0079 x age) + (0.202 x lens diameter) - (0.041 x axial length of the globe) + 0.0114. The increase in AZI was accompanied by a decrease in the size of zonular-free zone with age (r = -0.206, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Aging correlates with an increase in the distance from the anterior zonular insertion to the lens equator and a decrease in zonular-free zone.