Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 17, 2025
In vivo Structural Assessments of Ocular Disease in Rodent Models using Optical Coherence Tomography
Published on: July 24, 2020
Higher HbA1c may reduce axial length elongation in myopic children: a comparison cohort study
Chun-Fu Liu1,2,3, Shin-Chieh Chen1,3,4, Kuan-Jen Chen3,4
1Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan.
Insights
Children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) experienced slower axial length elongation compared to non-diabetic peers. Higher HbA1c levels were linked to reduced myopia progression in T1DM patients.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Endocrinology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Myopia progression is a significant concern in children.
- Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic condition affecting various bodily systems.
- The impact of T1DM on refractive error development, specifically axial length changes, requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare annual axial length (AL) changes in myopic children with T1DM versus those without diabetes.
- To identify factors influencing AL elongation in myopic children with T1DM.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study comparing two groups of myopic children (T1DM vs. non-diabetic).
- Analysis of baseline clinical characteristics and annual AL changes.
- Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) model to determine contributing factors.
Main Results:
- Myopic children with T1DM exhibited significantly slower annual AL changes (50.5% slower) and shorter baseline AL compared to the non-diabetic group.
- The average age of participants was approximately 14.7 years.
- Serum glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level was identified as the most significant factor in reducing AL elongation in the T1DM group.
Conclusions:
- Elevated long-term HbA1c levels may be associated with reduced axial length elongation in myopic children with T1DM.
- Implementing strict blood sugar control strategies is crucial for managing myopia progression in children with T1DM.
Aims:
To compare the annual axial length (AL) changes in myopic children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and those without diabetes.
Methods:
There are two groups of myopic children in this retrospective cohort study. Group 1 consisted of myopic children with T1DM (44 eyes of 22 patients). Group 2 comprised age-matched myopic children without diabetes (44 eyes of 22 children). These two groups were compared with regard to their baseline clinical characteristics. A generalized estimating equations (GEE) model was also used to determine the most likely factor that contributed to the results.
Results:
The average ages of group 1 and group 2 were 14.8 and 14.6 years, respectively. Children in group 1 had significantly slower annual AL changes (0.051 mm/year vs 0.103 mm/year; 50.5% slower, P = 0.011) and shorter baseline AL (23.97 vs 25.19 mm, P < 0.001) than those in group 2. GEE also showed that serum glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level (B = -0.023, P = 0.039) was the most important factor in reducing AL elongation in group 1 myopic children.
Conclusions:
Long-term higher HbA1c level may reduce AL elongation. A strict blood sugar control strategy in clinical practice is warranted to axial myopia progression in T1DM children.
