Four-year change in ocular biometric components and refraction in schoolchildren: A cohort study

Abstract

PurposeTo determine 4-year changes of ocular biometric and dioptric components in Iranian children aged 7–11 years following the first phase. Methods468 children were evaluated in the first phase of the study in 2012 and again in 2016–2017. Multi-stage stratified cluster sampling was applied to select the participants. The Topcon autorefractometer and the LENSTAR/BioGraph biometer (WaveLight AG, Erlangen, Germany) were used for cycloplegic refraction and biometry, respectively. All measurements were repeated at 4 years as the baseline assessments. ResultsOf 468 children, 251 (53.6%) were boys. Spherical equivalent (SE) showed a marked myopic shift (P = 0.000) in the second phase which was significantly higher in boys (0.24 vs. 0.18 D) (P < 0.001). Axial length (AL) and anterior chamber depth (ACD) increased by 0.49 ± 0.05 and 0.12 ± 0.02 mm, while lens thickness (LT) and lens power (LP) decreased by 0.08 ± 0.01 mm and 1.59 ± 0.12 D, respectively (P < 0.05). The mean corneal curvature and thickness did not change significantly during 4 years. All biometric component changes were greater in boys. Biometric changes in different age groups showed a decreased LP, increased AL, and increased ACD in most age groups (P < 0.05), while LT and SE did not change significantly in the age groups 9 and 11 years and 8 and 9 years, respectively. Changes in the corneal thickness, diameter, curvature, and refractive astigmatism were not significant in any of the age groups (P > 0.05). ConclusionsStatistical and clinical changes were seen in AL, ACD, LP, and LT. The changes observed in biometric components (AL, ACD, and LT) had a sinus rhythm.