Myopia, Axial Length and Lens Thickness: A Corneal Biomechanical Analysis of Older Children and Adolescents

Authors

  • André Ferreira Service of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Porto, Portugal; Unit of Anatomy, Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine of University of Porto, Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8577-5128
  • João Heitor Marques Service of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6487-7950
  • Ana Marta Service of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Porto, Portugal; Department of Ophthalmology, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3495-4649
  • Catarina Castro Service of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7707-7861
  • Pedro Manuel Baptista Service of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8285-1084
  • Diana José Service of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8415-0780
  • Paulo Sousa Service of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7087-5158
  • Isabel Neves Service of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Porto, Portugal
  • Pedro Menéres Service of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Porto, Portugal; Department of Ophthalmology, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1989-3465
  • Irene Barbosa Service of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Porto, Portugal; Department of Ophthalmology, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6053-5339

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48560/rspo.28265

Keywords:

Adolescent, Axial Length, Eye, Child, Cornea, Eye/growth & development, Lens, Crystalline, Myopia

Abstract

Introduction: Our objective was to compare the corneal biomechanics of myopes with non-myopes in a sample of Portuguese children. In addition, we sought to evaluate their habits and background as well as to assess the potential relationship of axial length and lens thickness with their corneal biomechanical properties.   Methods: Observational cross-sectional study assessing healthy children (8 to 18 years old) conducted at a tertiary university hospital center (Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Porto, Portugal). Demographic and clinical data were retrieved from medical records and participants’ and parents’ interview. After this interview, ocular biometry and corneal biomechanics were assessed using ZEISS IOL Master 700 (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany) and Corvis ST (Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany), respectively. Linear mixed-effects models adjusting for age and gender were built to assess the relationship between corneal biomechanical properties and myopia, axial length (AL) and lens thickness (LT).   Results: One hundred and fifty-six eyes (out of 78 children) were enrolled of which 100 had a spherical equivalent ≤ -0.50 and were classified as myopes. The mean±standard deviation age was 14.18±2.60 years, being significantly higher in the myopes (p=0.004). The proportion of myopes increased with age (p=0.019). LT presented a significant but weak negative correlation with intraocular pressure (r=-0.227, p=0.005). Almost half of myopes had a positive family history of myopia. Non-myopes presented a trend for a higher proportion of atopy (p=0.059) and a significantly higher proportion of dermatitis history (p=0.030). Myopia was associated with higher amplitude of whole eye movement (p<0.001). Longer AL and thinner lenses were associated with a more deformable corneal behavior.   Conclusion: In this sample of Portuguese children, AL and LT, but not myopic status, were related with corneal biomechanical behavior. Longitudinal studies are warranted to elucidate the role of corneal biomechanics in the screening and follow-up of ocular diseases in children.

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Published

2023-09-28

How to Cite

Ferreira, A., Marques, J. H., Marta, A., Castro, C., Baptista, P. M., José, D. ., Sousa, P., Neves, I., Menéres, P., & Barbosa, I. (2023). Myopia, Axial Length and Lens Thickness: A Corneal Biomechanical Analysis of Older Children and Adolescents. Revista Sociedade Portuguesa De Oftalmologia, 47(3), 164–174. https://doi.org/10.48560/rspo.28265

Issue

Vol. 47 No. 3 (2023)

Section

Original Article

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