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Eye size and shape in newborn children and their relation to axial length and refraction at 3 years
Author(s) -
Lim Laurence Shen,
Chua Sharon,
Tan Pei Ting,
Cai Shirong,
Chong YapSeng,
Kwek Kenneth,
Gluckman Peter D.,
Fortier Marielle V.,
Ngo Cheryl,
Qiu Anqi,
Saw SeangMei
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
ophthalmic and physiological optics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.147
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1475-1313
pISSN - 0275-5408
DOI - 10.1111/opo.12212
Subject(s) - refraction , optometry , relation (database) , optics , refractive error , physics , geology , medicine , visual acuity , computer science , database
Purpose To determine if eye size and shape at birth are associated with eye size and refractive error 3 years later. Methods A subset of 173 full‐term newborn infants from the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes ( GUSTO ) birth cohort underwent magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) to measure the dimensions of the internal eye. Eye shape was assessed by an oblateness index, calculated as 1 − (axial length/width) or 1 − (axial length/height). Cycloplegic autorefraction (Canon Autorefractor RK ‐F1) and optical biometry ( IOLM aster) were performed 3 years later. Results Both eyes of 173 children were analysed. Eyes with longer axial length at birth had smaller increases in axial length at 3 years ( p < 0.001). Eyes with larger baseline volumes and surface areas had smaller increases in axial length at 3 years ( p < 0.001 for both). Eyes which were more oblate at birth had greater increases in axial length at 3 years ( p < 0.001). Using width to calculate oblateness, prolate eyes had smaller increases in axial length at 3 years compared to oblate eyes ( p < 0.001), and, using height, prolate and spherical eyes had smaller increases in axial length at 3 years compared to oblate eyes ( p < 0.001 for both). There were no associations between eye size and shape at birth and refraction, corneal curvature or myopia at 3 years. Conclusions Eyes that are larger and have prolate or spherical shapes at birth exhibit smaller increases in axial length over the first 3 years of life. Eye size and shape at birth influence subsequent eye growth but not refractive error development.