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Relationship of ocular biometry and retinal vascular caliber in preschoolers
Ling-Jun Li1, Carol Yim-Lui Cheung, Gus Gazzard
1Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
Insights
In young children, longer axial length is linked to narrower retinal blood vessels. Increased corneal curvature also correlates with narrower retinal venular caliber, suggesting early myopia structural changes affect retinal microvasculature.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Retinal Vascular Imaging
Background:
- Retinal vascular caliber is a potential indicator of systemic vascular health.
- Ocular biometry measurements are crucial for understanding refractive development.
- Myopia is a growing public health concern with potential early developmental factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between ocular biometry and retinal vascular caliber in Singaporean Chinese preschoolers.
- To identify early structural correlates of myopia that may influence retinal microvasculature.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 469 Singapore Chinese children (48-72 months) underwent cycloplegic autorefraction, ocular biometry, and retinal photography.
- Retinal vascular caliber was quantified using central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE) and central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE).
- Ocular magnification was corrected using the Bengtsson formula; statistical analyses included multiple linear regression.
Main Results:
- Each 1.0 mm increase in axial length correlated with a decrease in both retinal arteriolar (3.52 μm) and venular (5.55 μm) caliber.
- A 1.00 mm increase in corneal curvature was associated with a 13.79 μm decrease in retinal venular caliber.
- Sex and age-adjusted analyses revealed these significant associations.
Conclusions:
- In young children, elongated axial length is associated with narrower retinal arterioles and venules.
- Increased corneal curvature is linked to narrower retinal venules.
- These findings suggest that myopia-related structural changes may impact retinal microvasculature from early childhood.
Purpose:
To systematically examine the association between ocular biometry and retinal vascular caliber in Singapore Chinese preschoolers aged 48 to 72 months.
Methods:
A total of 469 Singapore Chinese children aged 48 to 72 months were recruited through the Strabismus, Amblyopia and Refractive Error Study in Singaporean Chinese Preschoolers (STARS) from 2006 to 2008. According to standardized protocols, cycloplegic autorefraction, ocular biometry measurements, and retinal photography were performed. Retinal vascular caliber was measured quantitatively and was summarized as the central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE) and central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE), respectively. Ocular magnification was corrected by using the Bengtsson formula.
Results:
The mean retinal arteriolar and venular calibers were 156.08 μm and 219.55 μm in boys, and 161.96 μm and 224.25 μm in girls, respectively. In multiple linear regression adjusted for age, sex, father's education, parental myopia history, mean arterial blood pressure, body mass index, and spherical equivalent, each 1.0 mm increase in axial length was associated with a 3.52 μm decrease in retinal arteriolar caliber (P = 0.023) and a 5.55 μm decrease in retinal venular caliber (P = 0.008). Each 1.00 mm increase in corneal curvature was associated with a 13.79 μm decrease (P = 0.004) in retinal venular caliber.
Conclusions:
In very young children aged 48 to 72 months, narrower retinal arteriolar and venular caliber was associated with elongated axial length. Narrower retinal venular caliber was associated with larger corneal curvature. This suggests that the major structural correlate of myopia might have an effect on retinal microvasculature from early childhood.
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