Measures of accommodative function in secondary school year 9 and year 13: a 4-year longitudinal study

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Pediatric Optometry
• Visual Science

Background:

• Accommodative function is crucial for clear vision during near tasks.
• Adolescent visual development and near work habits are significant public health concerns.
• Understanding accommodative excess (AE) and its relationship with visual tasks is vital for eye health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize accommodative function in secondary school students.
• To assess the relationship between near work (hours and distances) and accommodative variables.
• To identify changes in accommodative function between year 9 and year 13.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of 43 students examined in year 9 and year 13.
• Measured accommodation amplitude (AA), accommodative response (AR), accommodation flexibility (MAF, BAF), NRA, and PRA.
• Recorded near work hours and distances, classifying participants into normal accommodation (NA) and accommodative excess (AE) groups.

Main Results:

• Several accommodative function variables were below normative values in both year groups.
• Accommodative excess prevalence increased significantly from 27.9% to 58.1% (AR) and 23.3% to 46.5% (MAF) between year 9 and year 13.
• Near work hours increased significantly (p < 0.001), with Year 13 students in the AE group reporting more near work hours than the NA group.

Conclusions:

• Accommodative function measures were frequently outside normal ranges in secondary school students.
• Increased hours spent on near work are associated with a higher degree of accommodative excess.
• Regular assessment of accommodative function in school children is recommended.