To evaluate ocular biometry in a large paediatric population as a function of age and sex in children of European descent. Children were examined as part of the LIFE Child Study (Leipzig Research Centre for Civilization Disease), a population-based study in Leipzig, Germany. Altogether, 1907 children, aged from 4 to 17years, were examined with the Lenstar LS 900. Data from the right eye was analysed for axial length, central corneal thickness, flat and steep corneal radii, aqueous depth, lens thickness and vitreous depth. Wavefront-based autorefraction was employed for analysis. Axial length increased in girls from 21.6mm (4years) up to 23.4mm (17years); this increase (0.174mm per year) was statistically significant up to age 14 (23.3mm). Axial length increased in boys from 22.2mm (4years) up to 23.9mm (17years); this increase (0.178mm per year) was statistically significant up to age 10 (23.3mm). No change was observed for central corneal thickness (average: girls 550µm; boys 554µm). Corneal curvature in girls was somewhat flatter at age 4 (7.70mm) compared to age 10 (7.78mm), whereas it was constant in boys (7.89mm). Aqueous depth at age 4 was 2.73mm for girls and 2.86mm for boys, with the same rate of increase per year (girls: 0.046mm; boys: 0.047mm) from age 4 to 10. At age 17, aqueous depth was 3.06mm in girls and 3.20mm in boys. Lens thickness was reduced from age 4 (3.75mm) to age 10 (3.47mm) in girls and from age 4 (3.73mm) to age 10 (3.44mm) in boys, with the same rate of decrease per year of 0.046 and 0.047mm, respectively. At age 17, lens thickness was 3.52mm in girls and 3.50mm in boys. Vitreous depth at age 4 was 14.51mm for girls and 15.08mm for boys; with 0.156mm (girls) or 0.140mm (boys) increase per year until age 14 (girls: 16.08mm; boys: 16.48mm). At age 17, vitreous depth was 16.29mm in girls and 16.62mm in boys. Eye growth (axial length) in girls showed a lag of about four years compared to boys. Aqueous depth increase matches the lens thickness decrease from ages 4 to 10years in girls and boys. Lens thickness minimum is reached at 11years in girls and at 12years in boys. All dimensions of the optical ocular components are closely correlated with axial length. These data may serve as normative values for the assessment of eye growth in central European children and will provide a basis for monitoring refractive error development.