Choroidal and Retinal Thickness and Axial Eye Elongation in Chinese Junior Students

Abstract

To explore the associations between macular choroidal and retinal thickness and axial elongation in non-myopic and myopic junior students. METHODS.In this school-based longitudinal observational study, axial length was measured by optical low-coherence reflectometry, and choroidal thickness and retinal thickness were measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Myopia was defined as non-cycloplegic objective spherical equivalent refraction ≤ −0.50 diopters. Structural equation modeling and multiple linear regression models were used to analyze the associations between baseline choroidal and retinal thickness with axial elongation. RESULTS.Out of 1307 students examined at baseline in 2017, 1197 (91.58%) returned for follow-up examination in 2018, with a median age of 12.00 years (interquartile range [IQR], 1.00) and included 667 boys (55.72%). Within a 1-year period, the median axial elongation of right eyes was 230 μm (IQR, 180) in boys and 200 μm (IQR, 160) in girls (P = 0.032). The thinner temporal choroidal thickness was associated with greater 1-year axial elongation only in myopic students (β, −0.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.37, −0.03), the thinner temporal retinal thickness was associated with greater 1-year axial elongation in both non-myopic (β, −2.67; 95% CI, −4.52, −0.82) and myopic (β, −0.99; 95% CI, −1.68, −0.30) students, after adjustment for sex, age, and height. Subfoveal and nasal choroidal and retinal thickness were not significantly associated with axial elongation in either non-myopic or myopic students. CONCLUSIONS.A thinner temporal choroid at age 12 years may predict greater 1-year axial elongation in myopic students, and a thinner temporal retina may predict greater 1-year axial elongation in both non-myopic and myopic students. This finding may help to identify children at risk and control axial elongation with potential preventive strategies.

Sympathetic nervous system activity is associated with choroidal thickness and axial length in school-aged children

“…Last but not the least, the coefficients between choroidal thickness and change in AL were relatively small, despite the p values were significant. The results were in accordance with previous studies, [40][41][42] however, we also need to be cautious that the relationship between choroidal thinning and AL elongation is not absolute, and can be dissociated under some certain conditions such as brief episodes of lens wear. [43][44][45]…”

Ultra-Widefield Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in the Assessment of Choroidal Changes in Young Adults With Myopia

“…A previous study reported that choroidal thinning during accommodation is most pronounced within the temporal region but not the subfoveal region. 26 Harb et al 27 found thinner choroids in eyes with longer axial lengths at all locations except at 2250 µm temporal to the fovea. Although the measurement of choroidal thickness in these studies was limited to a 3-mm B-scan around the fovea, the results showed regional differences in choroidal thinning in eyes with myopia.…”

“…Although the measurement of choroidal thickness in these studies was limited to a 3-mm B-scan around the fovea, the results showed regional differences in choroidal thinning in eyes with myopia. 26 , 27 According to the most widely accepted theory of pathogenesis, the mechanical stretching caused by axial elongation results in choroidal thinning. Tian et al 26 and Vincent et al 28 reported that choroidal thinning related to myopia is only partially explained by simple passive choroidal thinning with axial elongation.…”

“… 26 , 27 According to the most widely accepted theory of pathogenesis, the mechanical stretching caused by axial elongation results in choroidal thinning. Tian et al 26 and Vincent et al 28 reported that choroidal thinning related to myopia is only partially explained by simple passive choroidal thinning with axial elongation.…”

Intermittent Fasting to the Eye: A New Dimension Involved in Physiological and Pathological Changes

“…Blurred vision during hyperglycemia has been the consequence of temporary refractive alterations produced by lens modifications ( 104 ), although it might also be caused by retinal abnormalities. The degree of retinal thickness is connected with visual acuity ( 105 , 106 ), and can also cause changes in the length of the eye axis, which can result in refractive errors ( 104 ). As a result, we may speculate about the role of IF in altering changes in certain ocular biological parameters or reducing refractive errors in diabetic and hyperglycemic conditions through blood glucose control.…”