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Peripheral refraction in 7- and 14-year-old children in central China: the Anyang Childhood Eye Study
Shi-Ming Li1, Si-Yuan Li1, Luo-Ru Liu2
1Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Insights
Peripheral refraction in Chinese children shows myopia is linked to peripheral hyperopia, while hyperopia and emmetropia are linked to peripheral myopia. Age significantly impacts these refractive patterns.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Optometry
- Refractive Error Research
Background:
- Understanding refractive error distribution is crucial for pediatric eye health.
- Peripheral refraction patterns may influence myopia progression.
- Chinese children represent a significant demographic for myopia research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distribution of peripheral refraction, including astigmatism, in Chinese children aged 7 and 14.
- To compare refractive patterns between different age groups and refractive states.
Main Methods:
- Cycloplegic refraction measurements were taken for central and horizontal peripheral vision (15° and 30° nasal and temporal).
- A cohort of 2134 7-year-olds and 1780 14-year-olds participated.
- Data included spherical equivalent, astigmatism (J45 and J180), and refractive categories (myopia, emmetropia, hyperopia).
Main Results:
- Myopic children exhibited relative peripheral hyperopia; hyperopic and emmetropic children showed relative peripheral myopia.
- Peripheral refraction changes were more pronounced in the nasal visual field.
- Older children (14-year-olds) displayed greater relative peripheral hyperopia and higher peripheral J180 compared to younger children.
Conclusions:
- Peripheral refractive profiles differ between myopic, emmetropic, and hyperopic Chinese children.
- Age-related differences in peripheral refraction are significant, with older children showing distinct patterns.
- Findings highlight the importance of peripheral refraction in understanding refractive development in pediatric populations.
Purpose:
To determine the distribution of peripheral refraction, including astigmatism, in 7- and 14-year-old Chinese children.
Methods:
2134 7-year-old and 1780 14-year-old children were measured with cycloplegic central and horizontal peripheral refraction (15° and 30° at temporal and nasal visual fields).
Results:
7- and 14-year-old children included 9 and 594, respectively, with moderate and high myopia (≤-3.0 D), 259 and 831 with low myopia (-2.99 to -0.5 D), 1207 and 305 with emmetropia (-0.49 to +1.0 D), and 659 and 50 with hyperopia (>1.0 D), respectively. Myopic children had relative peripheral hyperopia while hyperopic and emmetropic children had relative peripheral myopia, with greater changes in relative peripheral refraction occurring in the nasal than the temporal visual field. The older group had the greater relative peripheral hyperopia and higher peripheral J180. Both age groups showed positive slopes of J45 across the visual field, with greater slopes in the older group.
Conclusions:
Myopic children in mainland China have relative peripheral hyperopia while hyperopic and emmetropic children have relative peripheral myopia. Significant differences exist between 7- and 14-year-old children, with the latter showing more relative peripheral hyperopia, greater rate of change in J45 across the visual field, and higher peripheral J180.
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