Cross-sectional study of changes in the ocular components in school children.

ABSTRACT

Ocular dioptric component measurements were taken as part of a study of clinical optometric examination results and refractive errors in school children. A cross-sectional analysis of the ocular components used linear regression analysis to assess changes in the components with age. Vitreous depth increased. The slope of corneal power with age was not significantly different from zero. Calculated crystalline-lens equivalent power decreased with age. Anterior chamber depth increased, crystalline-lens thickness decreased, and total axial length increased. From the standpoint of effect on refractive error, the major component changes are an increase in vitreous depth, which by itself would produce a shift in the direction of myopia, and decrease in crystalline-lens power, which by itself would produce a change in the direction of hyperopia.