Association between insufficient sleep and astigmatism in preschool children

The aim of this study is to examine the association between insufficient sleep and astigmatism, as well as its related refractive components, in preschool children. Preschool children aged 3 to 6 from two kindergartens in Shanghai participated in this study. Non-cycloplegic refraction was assessed using an auto-refractor (Topcon KR-800, Tokyo, Japan), and biometric parameters were measured with the IOL Master 700 (Carl Zeiss, Jena, Germany). Sleep duration and lifestyle information were collected via questionnaires. Total Astigmatism (TA), Anterior Corneal Astigmatism (ACA), Internal Astigmatism (IA), and Compensation Factor (CF) were calculated from vector components J₀ and J₄₅. A total of 451 preschool children (55% males, mean age 5.20 ± 0.84 years) were included, with 5.8% experiencing astigmatism. Insufficient sleep was associated with higher astigmatism prevalence (OR = 2.932, 95% CI: 1.121 to 7.669) and increased cylinder power (β = 0.155, 95% CI: 0.024 to 0.286). Total sleep duration showed an inverse association with cylinder power (β = -0.049, 95% CI: -0.092 to -0.007). Insufficient sleep correlated significantly with J_0t (β = 0.123, 95% CI: 0.032-0.215) and J_0i (β = 0.170, 95% CI: 0.072-0.269), and CF₀ (Adjusted OR = 1.731, 95% CI: 1.005 - 2.981). Sleep duration was also significantly associated with J_0t, J_0i and CF₀. Insufficient sleep is significantly associated with astigmatism in preschool children, primarily through internal astigmatism. These findings emphasize the need for vision screening in children with insufficient sleep to identify and address refractive issues early. What is Known: • Refractive errors, including astigmatism, are common in preschool children and influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. • Insufficient sleep is significantly associated with refractive errors, particularly myopia, and is known to affect visual health and ocular conditions. What is New: • Insufficient sleep is significantly associated with astigmatism in preschool children. • This association may primarily stem from internal compensation mechanisms.