Longitudinal refractive errors over 36 months in Hispanic and Black children.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Pediatric Eye Care
• Refractive Error Research

Background:

• Refractive errors are common in children and can impact visual development.
• Understanding racial and ethnic variations in refractive error is crucial for targeted eye care interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the longitudinal changes in refractive errors over 36 months in Hispanic and Black children.
• To identify differences in refractive error characteristics between these two ethnic groups.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of children aged 2.4 to 15 years underwent annual cycloplegic refraction measurements.
• Spherical equivalent, astigmatism (cylinder, J0, J45), and anisometropia were analyzed using mixed-linear models over 36 months.

Main Results:

• Hispanic children had significantly higher astigmatism (cylinder, J0, J45) compared to Black children.
• Black children showed a higher prevalence and degree of anisometropia (≥1 D) than Hispanic children.
• Both groups experienced a significant decrease in spherical equivalent over 36 months, but astigmatism and anisometropia remained stable.

Conclusions:

• Significant racial/ethnic differences exist in astigmatism and anisometropia prevalence and characteristics among children.
• These findings underscore the importance of considering ethnicity in pediatric refractive error assessment and management.