Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026
Binocular Dynamic Visual Acuity in Eyeglass-Corrected Myopic Patients
Published on: March 29, 2022
Cycloplegic refractions as a function of age in children with infantile esotropia
1Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. arif.khan@mssm.edu
Insights
Cycloplegic refraction in children with infantile esotropia shows mild hyperopia and astigmatism. Refractive error remains stable throughout the first decade of life for healthy children.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Refractive Error
Background:
- Infantile esotropia is a common form of strabismus in children.
- Understanding refractive error progression is crucial for managing visual development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize cycloplegic refraction in children diagnosed with infantile esotropia.
- To analyze refractive changes as a function of age during the first decade of life.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records from children with infantile esotropia.
- Inclusion criteria: minimum 3-year follow-up and at least two cycloplegic refractions.
- Exclusion criteria: developmental delay, neurological disorders, or significant ocular disease.
Main Results:
- One hundred thirteen patients were analyzed; 35% presented with initial amblyopia.
- Mean spherical equivalent decreased slightly from 1.73D (<2 years) to 1.3D (8-10 years), a non-significant change (p=0.052).
- Mean minus cylinder increased from 0.39D (<2 years) to 0.71D (8-10 years), a non-significant change (p=0.041).
Conclusions:
- Children with infantile esotropia typically exhibit mild hyperopic spherical equivalents and mild astigmatism.
- Refractive error in healthy children with infantile esotropia demonstrates relative stability during the first ten years of life.
Purpose:
To describe cycloplegic refractions as a function of age in children with infantile esotropia.
Methods:
An institutional retrospective medical record review was performed for children with infantile esotropia. Only children with at least 3 years followup and at least 2 separate cycloplegic refractions at least 3 years apart were included. Children with developmental delay, neurological disorder, or other significant ocular disease were excluded. The spherical equivalents of the cycloplegic and the amounts of minus cylinder in diopters (D) were grouped according to patient age in years at the time of the refraction.(less than 2y, 2-4y, 5-7y, 8-10y), For the right eye, mean spherical equivalent and minus cylinder at less than 2y were compared with the 8-10y category. For these 2 comparisons, the alpha cutoff preset at 0.05/2=0.025.
Results:
One hundred thirteen patients were included in the study. Forty (35%) had initial amblyopia (12 [30%] mild, 25 [62%] moderate, 3 [8%] severe), which was treated with patching. Mean spherical equivalent (less than 2y, 1.73D, number of eyes [n] =61) decreased (8-10y, 1.3D, n=50) but the difference (-0.43D)was not significant by the unpaired 2-tailed t-test (p=0.052, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0 to -0.86D). Mean minus cylinder (less than 2y, 0.39D) increased (8-10y, 0.71D) but the difference (0.32D) was not significant by the unpaired 2-tailed t-test (p=0.041, 95% CI:0.01 to 0.63D). Data for the left eye were similar.
Conclusions:
The average cycloplegic refraction of otherwise healthy children with infantile esotropia is a mild hyperopic spherical equivalent with mild astigmatism that is relatively stable during the first decade of life.
Related Concept Videos
01:16Focusing of Light in the Eye
01:17Accessory Structures of the Eye
01:20Muscles of the Eye
Extraocular Muscles
The six extraocular muscles surround the eyeball and control its movements. They are responsible for a wide range of eye motions, including looking up, down, left, right, and rotating...