Effects of refraction and axial length on childhood optic disk parameters measured by optical coherence tomography.

Abstract

To assess the effects of refraction and axial length on optical coherence tomography (OCT) measures of childhood optic disk parameters. Population-based cross-sectional study. Of 4,118 children examined in the Sydney Myopia Study (Sydney Childhood Eye Study) from 34 randomly selected primary schools and 21 secondary schools from 2003 through 2005, 3,529 (85.7%) were included in the analysis (1,395 6-year-old children [year 1 students] and 2,134 12-year-old children [year 7 students]). Comprehensive standardized eye examinations included best-corrected visual acuity, cycloplegic autorefraction, biometry measurements, and fast optic disk scans using OCT. After adjusting for magnification, the mean optic disk area was positively associated with axial length (P(trend) < .0001, both age groups) but was not associated consistently with spherical equivalent refraction (SER). Optic disk parameters in childhood are influenced by axial length, but not by refractive error itself.