PURPOSE: To compare the individual means of ocular components of both eyes in patients with anisometropia; to correlate the differences of the components with refractive differences; and to identify the smallest number of factors that contain the same level of information expressed in the set of variables that influence refractive difference. METHODS: An analytical transversal study was carried out in 77 patients with anisometropia of two or more dioptres seen at the Ophthalmologic Clinic, University Hospital, Nilton Lins Medical School, Manaus. RESULTS: All participants were submitted to ophthalmologic examination which included objective and subjective cycloplegic refractometry, keratometry and ultrasound biometry. Data analysis comprised the following statistical models: univariate, multivariate, multiple and factorial regression analyses. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences in the comparison between the individual means of the ocular components. There was negative correlation between refractive difference and difference of axial length (r= -0.64; p<0.01) and weak negative correlation between refractive difference and crystalline lens power difference (r= -0.34; p<0.01). The analyzed variables reached 78% of the total variation of refractive difference. Three factors were identified for refractive differences: a) factor 1 (refraction, axial length); b) factor 2 (anterior chamber depth, cornea power), and c) factor 3 (crystalline lens power).
Anisometropia; Biometry; Eye; Eye; Refractive errors
