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Longitudinal change of refractive error in infants during the first year of life
Insights
This study tracked infant vision, finding a myopic shift in the first year. Early screening for refractive errors between 9-12 months is recommended for optimal infant eye care.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Optometry
Background:
- Infant refractive error development is crucial for visual health.
- Understanding longitudinal changes in ametropia is key for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To longitudinally assess changes in ametropia in infants during the first year of life.
- To identify optimal screening and intervention windows for refractive errors in infants.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study followed 113 infants over 12 months with 3-month interval cycloplegic refractions.
- Spherical equivalent power and astigmatism were analyzed using scatterplots and frequency distributions.
Main Results:
- A significant myopic shift of -0.38 D was observed between 26-36 weeks and again between 36-52 weeks.
- Refractive error distribution became leptokurtic by 12 months, similar to adults.
- Low-degree astigmatism and rare anisometropia were noted.
Conclusions:
- Infant refractive error undergoes a myopic shift in the first year.
- The period between 9 and 12 months of age appears optimal for screening and potential prescription for abnormal refractive errors.
Abstract:
Using cycloplegia, the change in ametropia of 113 infants was followed at 3 month intervals over the first year of life. Scatterplots of the spherical equivalent power show that the dioptric differences exhibit a significant myopic shift of -0.38 ds between 26 and 36 weeks and -0.38 ds between 36 and 52 weeks. The spread of the dioptric differences (95% CI) does not appear to be related to the magnitude of the ametropia present and decreases with time. By 12 months of age the frequency distribution of the spherical equivalent appears to become leptokurtic as it is in the adult. On average the astigmatism was of low degree (less than 1 dioptre cylinder) and with the rule. Anisometropia was rarely seen. The results of this longitudinal study point to an optimal time for screening and perhaps prescribing for 'abnormal' refractive error between 9 and 12 months of age.