Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness is Independently Associated with Axial Length and Myopia in Preschool Children: A Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography Study.
In preschool children, myopia is linked to thinner subfoveal choroidal thickness, suggesting SFCT could be an early indicator of myopic changes.
Where it sits
this study against the rest of the zenagamtide corpusSummary and findings
The study measured subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) in 303 Chinese preschool children using swept-source optical coherence tomography. It found that myopic children had significantly thinner SFCT compared to emmetropic children. SFCT was independently associated with axial length and spherical equivalent refraction.
Abstract
<h4>Introduction</h4>The current study assessed subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) in Chinese preschool children using swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) and evaluated its associations with age, sex, axial length, refractive status, family history of myopia, and corneal curvature.<h4>Methods</h4>In this cross-sectional observational study, 303 eyes of 303 preschool children with no ocular diseases underwent comprehensive ophthalmic examinations, including cycloplegic refraction. SFCT was measured using swept-source OCT. Factors affecting changes in SFCT were analyzed using a general linear model.<h4>Results</h4>The mean SFCT was 326.33 ± 43.01 μm (range 198.67-438.33 μm) in children aged 3-6 years. The myopic group had significantly thinner SFCT than the emmetropic group (305.66 ± 41.18 μm vs. 347.41 ± 33.68 μm; p < 0.05). After adjusting for covariates, SFCT remained significantly lower in the myopic group (317.23 μm vs. 338.42 μm; mean difference: 21.19 μm, 95% confidence interval 7.09-35.28 μm). Myopia significantly affected SFCT (F = 8.75, p = 0.003, η<sup>2</sup> = 0.029). SFCT was positively correlated with spherical equivalent refraction (β = 6.47, p = 0.036) and negatively associated with axial length, particularly in the myopic group (β = - 10.29, p = 0.023). There were no significant differences in SFCT associated with age group, sex, or family history of myopia (all p > 0.05).<h4>Conclusion</h4>In preschool children, myopia is associated with significantly thinner SFCT, which is independently influenced by spherical equivalent refraction and axial length, but not by age, sex, or family history of myopia. These findings suggest that SFCT may serve as a responsive indicator of early myopic changes in preschoolers, though longitudinal studies are needed to determine its temporal relationship with axial elongation.
Background
This study investigates the relationship between subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and myopia in preschool children, a topic of interest due to the increasing prevalence of myopia in young populations. Prior research has suggested that SFCT may be a biomarker for myopic changes, but its role in early childhood remains unclear. Understanding these associations could help in early detection and management of myopia.
Methods
The study was a cross-sectional observational design involving 303 eyes from 303 preschool children aged 3-6 years, with no ocular diseases. Comprehensive ophthalmic examinations, including cycloplegic refraction, were conducted. SFCT was measured using swept-source optical coherence tomography. A general linear model was used to analyze factors affecting SFCT.
Results
The primary finding was that myopic children had significantly thinner SFCT compared to emmetropic children, with a mean difference of 21.19 μm (95% CI 7.09-35.28 μm) after adjusting for covariates. Myopia significantly affected SFCT (F = 8.75, p = 0.003, η² = 0.029). SFCT was positively correlated with spherical equivalent refraction (β = 6.47, p = 0.036) and negatively associated with axial length, particularly in the myopic group (β = -10.29, p = 0.023).
Interpretation
The study confirms that SFCT is thinner in myopic preschool children and is independently associated with axial length and spherical equivalent refraction. While the findings are statistically significant, the clinical significance is uncertain without longitudinal data. The study's cross-sectional nature limits causal conclusions, and the results may not generalize beyond the specific population studied.
Key findings
- Mean SFCT was 326.33 ± 43.01 μm in children aged 3-6 years.
- Myopic group had thinner SFCT than emmetropic group (305.66 ± 41.18 μm vs. 347.41 ± 33.68 μm; p < 0.05).
- Adjusted mean difference in SFCT was 21.19 μm (95% CI 7.09-35.28 μm).
- Myopia significantly affected SFCT (F = 8.75, p = 0.003, η² = 0.029).
- SFCT positively correlated with spherical equivalent refraction (β = 6.47, p = 0.036).
Limitations
- cross-sectional design
- limited to Chinese preschool children
- no causal inference possible
- single population study