Ocular component growth curves among Singaporean children with different refractive error status.
OBJECTIVE
To describe and compare ocular component growth curves among different refractive error groups in Singaporean children.


METHODS
Data collected yearly in 1775 Asian children aged 6 to 10 years with at least three visits were analyzed. Cycloplegic refractive error and biometry variables were measured by autorefractor and A-scan ultrasound machine. Growth curves were compared between five groups: persistent hyperopia of spherical equivalent (SE) > +1.00 D, emmetropizing hyperopia of SE > +1.00 D on the first visit and between -0.50 D and +1.00 D subsequently, persistent emmetropia of SE between -0.50 D and +1.00 D, incident myopia of SE <or= -0.50 D at subsequent visits, and persistent myopia of SE <or= -0.50 D.


RESULTS
The axial length and vitreous chamber elongated faster in the children younger than 10 years, but elongation slowed with age. Growth patterns of axial length and vitreous chamber in the children with newly developed or persistent myopia (P < 0.01) showed faster elongation than in the emmetropic children. The anterior chamber deepened until approximately 9 or 10 years of age but became shallower as the myopic and emmetropic children grew older. Conversely, the lens thinned at younger ages and thickened at older ages for all except the persistently hyperopic children.


CONCLUSIONS
In young Asian children, the axial length and vitreous chamber depth increased, but the elongation slowed with age. There was a U-shaped growth curve for lens thickness and an inverted U-shaped curve for anterior chamber depth. The findings of early lens thinning followed by thickening suggest a two-phase growth of the lens.
Wong
Hwee-Bee
HB
Health Services Research and Evaluation Division, Ministry of Health, Singapore, Republic of Singapore.
Machin
David
D
Tan
Say-Beng
SB
Wong
Tien-Yin
TY
Saw
Seang-Mei
SM
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000867:Anterior Chamber / Q000254:growth & development; D044466:Asian People / Q000208:ethnology; D001699:Biometry; D002648:Child; D005123:Eye / Q000254:growth & development*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006956:Hyperopia / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000254:growth & development; D008297:Male; D009216:Myopia / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000254:growth & development