Sonographic Axial Length of the Eye in Healthy Nigerians at the Jos University Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Ultrasonography of the eyeball has become very important as a diagnostic tool in ophthalmology practice, because it is a rapid, safe and atraumatic method of examination. The Axial Length (AL) is the distance from the corneal surface to the retinal pigment epithelium/Bruch’s membrane. Method: The study was a retrospective analysis of all the normal ocular ultrasound scan at the Jos University Teaching Hospital. A 10 MHz linear transducer of the LOGIC 5, GE ultrasound machine was placed over the closed eyelid and scanning was done in the transverse and vertical or cranio-caudal planes of the eye. Basic statistics were performed using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) and the analyzed data were expressed in descriptive statistics such as frequency tables, percentages, mode, median and mean. Correlative analysis, Students’ t-test, was used to test for significant differences. A statistical significance level of p-value of <0.05 was adopted. Results: The mean right axial length is 2.15±0.42 and that of the left was 2.05±0.39. The right axial length was higher than that of the left in both sexes. The right and left axial lengths were higher in females compared to males. There is significant correlation between age and the right and left axial length. Conclusion: The right axial length was higher than that of the left in both sexes. The right and left axial lengths were higher in females compared to males. The axial length was lower than the international value.