Institution: University of California Berkeley
Poster Title: The Refractive Error and Axial Length (REAL) Growth Curves Study - Preliminary Data
Abstract:
Purpose:
Identifying children at risk of myopia onset and evaluating the efficacy of myopia control requires normative data on ocular growth, particularly refractive error (RE) and axial length (AL), that reflect the US population. This study aims to generate preliminary growth curves for refractive error and ocular biometrics in children aged 3-8 years.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted on site at Head Start centers and public elementary schools near the three participating colleges of optometry: Berkeley (CA), Boston (MA), and Houston (TX). Subjects were provided with comprehensive eye exams. Primary outcomes included cycloplegic RE and AL.
Results:
To date, 169 children have participated across the three sites, with 48 from Berkeley (CA). AL and cycloplegic spherical equivalent (CSE) were evaluated using data from the right eyes, as there were no significant differences between the right and left eyes (p = 0.61, p = 0.63). The mean AL was 22.40 ± 0.78 mm (N = 42). Significant positive correlations were found between height and AL (r = 0.43, p = 0.005) and age and AL (r = 0.35, p = 0.02). The mean CSE was +1.09 ± 1.14 D (N = 42). A significant negative correlation was found between CSE and AL (r = -0.52, p < 0.001), with a weak negative correlation between age and CSE (r = -0.12, p = 0.44).
Conclusion:
The positive correlations between height, age, and AL support findings that AL elongates as children grow. The negative correlation between CSE and AL supports the understanding that myopia involves eyeball elongation. The weak negative correlation between age and CSE aligns with research indicating a gradual decrease in refractive error from hyperopia toward emmetropia during childhood. Further longitudinal research with a larger sample size and additional sites is needed to establish the dynamics of refractive error development throughout childhood, underscoring the importance of normative ocular growth curves for early myopia