Development of Refractive Parameters in 3-to 6-Year-Old Children and Its Application in Myopia Prediction and Intervention Guidance

Objective. To investigate refractive development and prevalence of myopia in children aged 3-6 years in Hebei Province, China, and to explore the developmental law of refraction, so as to clinically guide the prediction and intervention of myopia. Methods. In May 2019, a total of 6120 people were inspected in 68 kindergartens in 11 cities in Hebei Province. Child refractive refraction was checked under noncycloplegia using a handheld binocular vision screener (SW-800, SUOER, Tianjin, China). Axial length (AL) and corneal radius of curvature (CR) were measured using an ocular biometry (IOLMaster 500, Carl Zeiss, Germany). Myopia was defined as spherical equivalent SE & LE;-0.75 D. Results. A total of 5506 children aged 3-6 years met the criteria and were included in the statistical analysis. The prevalence of myopia was 3.49% (1.93% at age 3, 2.90% at age 4, 3.78% at age 5, and 3.88% at age 6). Overall, the mean SE was +0.67 & PLUSMN;1.05 D (+0.81 & PLUSMN;1.00 D at age 3, +0.79 & PLUSMN;1.05 D at age 4, +0.67 & PLUSMN;1.08 D at age 5, and +0.13 & PLUSMN;1.01 D at age 6); the mean CR was 7.76 & PLUSMN;0.26 mm (7.78 & PLUSMN;0.26 mm at age3, 7.75 & PLUSMN;0.25 mm at age 4, 7.77 & PLUSMN;0.26 mm at age 5, and 7.76 & PLUSMN;0.25 mm at age 6); the mean AL was 22.31 & PLUSMN;0.73 mm (21.98 & PLUSMN;0.63 mm at age 3, 22.12 & PLUSMN;0.69 mm at age 4, 22.34 & PLUSMN;0.73 mm at age 5, and 22.49 & PLUSMN;0.73 mm at age 6). Conclusions. Prevalence of myopia increases with age in children aged 3-6 years in Hebei, China. With the increase of age, CR is basically stable, and AL increases gradually. AL/CR, which is closely related to SE, can be used as an indicator to predict myopia and guide clinical work.

Automated summary

The study investigated refractive development and myopia prevalence in children aged 3-6 in Hebei Province, China, revealing an increase in myopia prevalence with age, stable corneal radius of curvature, and gradual increase in axial length. AL/CR, closely related to SE, can be used to predict myopia and guide clinical work.