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Ocular dimensions in relation to auxological data in a sample of Swedish children aged 4-15 years
Lina H Raffa1, Ann Hellström, Eva Aring
1Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology/Ophthalmology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Ophthalmology, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
This study establishes normative ocular growth patterns in Swedish children, finding correlations between ocular measurements and auxological data. These findings aid in understanding pediatric eye conditions.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Human Growth and Development
Background:
- Understanding normal ocular development is crucial for identifying deviations and pediatric eye pathologies.
- Auxological data (growth measurements) can provide context for ocular development.
- Normative data for ocular components in children are essential for clinical assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize normal growth patterns of ocular and optical components in Swedish children aged 4-15 years.
- To investigate the relationship between ocular measurements and auxological data (e.g., height, weight, head circumference).
- To establish a reference for Caucasian children for future clinical and research applications.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cross-sectional study involving 143 Swedish children (mean age 9.8 years).
- Collection of birth data (gestational age, weight, length, head circumference) and assessment data.
- Ocular assessments included visual acuity, cycloplegic refraction, biometric measurements, palpebral fissure length, inner canthal distance, and optic disc morphology analysis.
Main Results:
- Male children born more mature exhibited deeper anterior/vitreous chambers, longer axial lengths, and thinner crystalline lenses.
- Inner canthal distance correlated significantly with birth length, height, weight, BMI, and head circumference.
- Total axial length correlated with gestational age and length at assessment in girls.
- Optic disc and rim areas decreased with age, but optic disc parameters were independent of other variables.
- No significant correlations were found between ocular biometrics and visual acuity or refraction after adjustments.
Conclusions:
- Established normative values for ocular and auxological data in Caucasian children aged 4-15 years.
- Provides a basis for evaluating ocular findings in relation to growth parameters.
- Serves as a reference for future studies on pediatric ocular pathologies.
Purpose:
The purpose was to characterize normal growth patterns of ocular and optical components and to relate them to auxological data in a sample of Swedish children aged 4-15 years.
Methods:
A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out in 143 Swedish children with a mean age of 9.8 years. Variables including gestational age (GA), weight, length and head circumference (HCF) at birth and at the time of assessment were registered. Visual acuity (VA), cycloplegic refraction and biometric measures were obtained. Palpebral fissure length and inner canthal distance were measured. Optic disc morphology as seen on fundus photographs was analysed.
Results:
Children born more mature, with male predilection, were found to have deeper anterior and vitreous chamber depths, longer axial lengths and thinner crystalline lens thickness. No correlations were found between ocular biometric measurements and VA or refraction after adjustment for confounding variables. Inner canthal distance was significantly correlated with birth length (p = 0.03), height, weight, BMI and HCF (p = 0.0008, p = 0.0007, p = 0.037, and p = 0.04, respectively) at time of assessment. Total axial length was found to be significantly correlated with GA (p = 0.0226) and length at assessment in girls (p = 0.0084). Right optic disc and rim areas decreased with increasing age (p = 0.0078 and p = 0.0107, respectively); however, optic disc parameters were not dependent on any other variable.
Conclusion:
These normative values may serve as a basis for the ocular findings and their relationship to auxological data in Caucasian children aged 4-15 years, as well as for future comparison in patients with paediatric ocular pathologies.
