Association of refractive error with optic nerve hypoplasia

To evaluate the association of refractive error with optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH).

A total of 30 ONH subjects were recruited and underwent comprehensive eye exams. Refractive error data from this group was compared to data from a group of 3232 non-ONH subjects from the same facility. Spherical equivalent was calculated to assess refractive error. Multiple logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationship between ONH and refractive error while controlling for age, race, and gender.

The prevalence of hyperopia (≥+1.00 D), myopia (<-0.75 D), and anisometropia (≥1.00 D) was higher in ONH subjects than in controls. ONH subjects were 9.1 times more likely to be hyperopic than emmetropic (OR = 9.1, 95% CI = 2.9-28.4, p < 0.001) and 3.8 times more likely to be myopic than emmetropic (OR = 3.8, 95% CI = 1.2-11.5, p = 0.02). Unilateral ONH subjects were 10.0 times more likely to have anisometropia than controls (OR = 10.0, 95% CI = 3.9-25.6, p < 0.0001). Bilateral ONH subjects were 3.8 times more likely to have anisometropia than controls (OR = 3.8, 95% CI = 1.1-12.7, p = 0.03).

Optic nerve hypoplasia subjects were more likely than control subjects to exhibit significant refractive errors, particularly hyperopia. Anisometropia tended to be more likely to occur in subjects with unilateral ONH than in bilateral ONH. Based on our findings, we recommend that clinicians perform a comprehensive eye examination on all patients with ONH and prescribe for existing refractive error when visual acuity or general visual function can realistically be improved.