In connection with a population study of the anterior chamber depth (ACD), measured optically with Haag Streit 900 instruments, a field study of the method was performed. The random error of measurement was estimated in two ways: a) on the basis of the triple readings of the measuring procedure: s.d. = 0.020 mm and b) by reexaminations after a few weeks in a random sample of 52 persons: 0.037 mm, i.e. a significantly larger value. Corresponding results for corneal thickness were obtained (0.007 and 0.013 mm).A highly significant side difference -with larger left eye values -was (0.019 mm), in 900 pairs of eyes. The correction values due to radius of corneal curvature were found to be negligible. Against a background of large interpersonal variations of ACD the methodological problems seem to be small. ACD is a precise anatomical measure with this method. L n ACD (mean difference: 0.020 mm) and in corneal thickness