Abstract
Purpose :
To examine the association between the anthropometric measurements of height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and visual acuity, refraction, and other ocular parameters in Chinese children.
Methods :
In a cross-sectional study of 1277 Chinese preschool children, aged 3 to 6 years, from six kindergartens in Tongzhou District, Beijing, height and weight were measured according to standard protocol, and BMI was calculated. Refractive error measures were determined by autorefraction in eyes under cycloplegia. Axial length, anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, and corneal curvature were measured using IOL Master.
Results :
In comparison with the children with height in the first quartile for a given age and gender, the visual acuity in the fourth quartile was 0.08 less, refraction more positive by 0.11 D (1.33 D versus 1.22 D), the axial length 0.62 mm longer, the anterior chamber depth 0.18mm deeper, lens thickness 0.13 mm thicker, the corneal radius of curvature 0.1 mm greater, and axial length-to-corneal curvature radius (AL-CR) ratio higher, after analyses controlling for age, weight and parental myopia. The association of BMI with visual acuity was significant in girls but not in boys. Higher children had refractions that were more myopic (p=0.035), after analyses controlling for age, gender, weight, and parental myopia. This association was present in boys but not in girls.
Conclusions :
Controlling for age, gender, weight (height was also controlled for if weight was evaluated) and parental myopia showed that taller Chinese preschool children had eyes with longer axial lengths, deeper anterior chamber depth, flatter corneas, and refractions that tended toward myopia. These results suggest a potential influence of systemic endocrine or metabolic factors during childhood on visual development.
This abstract was presented at the 2023 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in New Orleans, LA, April 23-27, 2023.