[Eyeball axis changes in children's myopia]

The aim of study was to assess changes in eyeball axial length in myopic children depending on age in comparison with hyperopic and emmetropic groups. The study group consisted of 200 children (100 girls and 100 boys), from 3 to 17 years old (mean 9.8). Myopia was diagnosed in 376 eyes (-4.0 D to -24.0 D, mean -9.64 D) with axial length from 21.0 to 30.95 mm (mean 26.05 mm). Control group consisted of 334 eyes (167 children) with mean refraction +0.53 D and axial length from 20.0 to 23.9 mm (mean 22.36 mm). We have used the Statgraphics program for statistical analysis. A statistically significant difference was found between mean eyeball axial length within myopic group of girls (mean 25.77 mm) and boys (mean 26.31 mm) with p = 0.321 and significance level alpha = 0.05. The axial length increases irregularly over time. The axis of the eyeball in myopic children aged between 3 and 17 increases more than in emmetropic and hyperopic (up to 1.0 D) children.