Longitudinal changes in the spherical equivalent refractive error of children with accommodative esotropia.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the longitudinal changes in the spherical equivalent (SE) refractive errors of children with accommodative esotropia as a function of the age when glasses were prescribed.


METHODS
Refractive errors were followed longitudinally for 126 children with accommodative esotropia for a mean of 4.4 (SD 2.5) years. Cycloplegic refractions were performed using an autorefractor for older children and retinoscopy for younger children. The refractive data were analysed for three groups of children based on their age at the time spectacles were prescribed.


RESULTS
The initial SE refractive error was age dependent (<2 years, 5.1 (1.9) D; 2-<4 years, 4.2 (1.9) D; 4-8 years, 3.8 (1.7) D). Children in all age groups had an initial increase in their SE refractive error, followed by a later decrease; however, the greatest decrease occurred in the patients in the oldest age group. The SE refractive error peaked 1 year after spectacles were prescribed for the children 4-8 years of age versus 6 years after spectacles were prescribed for the children less than 2 years of age.


CONCLUSIONS
Longitudinal changes in SE refractive error for children with accommodative esotropia vary as a function of their age when spectacle wear is initiated.
Lambert
S R
SR
Emory Eye Center, Pediatric Opthalmology, 1365-B Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. slamber@emory.edu
Lynn
M J
MJ
D000065:Accommodation, Ocular; D000367:Age Factors; D017668:Age of Onset; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004948:Esotropia / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005139:Eyeglasses; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016014:Linear Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology