ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The normal distribution of exophthalmometry measurements in a U.S. pediatric population was determined as a reference for clinical practice. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study, in which 673 normal subjects, between 1 and 17 years of age, randomly selected from patients presenting to our institution, were measured with an exophthalmometer. Normal volunteers also participated at a booth at the annual state fair. Subjects were excluded for a prior history of orbital tumor, craniofacial anomaly, thyroid disease, orbital trauma, or inability to tolerate the measurement. RESULTS: A total of 673 subjects (52% female) with a mean age of 9.6 years were studied. There was no difference in exophthalmometric measurements between male and female subjects. Mean exophthalmometric measurements increased with age: less than 4 years old (13.2 mm), 5-8 years old (14.4 mm), 9-12 years old (15.2 mm), and 13-17 years old (16.2 mm). Asymmetric measurements occurred in 100 (14.9%) subjects, with a 2-mm maximal difference in 2 subjects. CONCLUSION: Exophthalmometric measurements vary with age among the pediatric population. Reference data are presented for each age group in a U.S. cohort.
Subject(s)
Exophthalmos/pathology , Eye/anatomy & histology , Orbit/anatomy & histology , Adolescent , Age Factors , Black People , Child , Child, Preschool , Cross-Sectional Studies , Exophthalmos/etiology , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Reference Values , Sex Factors , United States , White PeopleABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To determine whether binocular best-corrected visual acuity (B-BCVA) improves in the early school years in patients with albinism and whether this is related to type of albinism, ocular pigment, or appearance of the macula. METHODS: Patients with albinism seen between 5.5 and 9 years (Visit A) and 9.5 and 14 years of age (Visit B), with visits separated by at least 2.5 years, were included. Type of albinism, B-BCVA, glasses wear, iris pigment and macular transparency grade, and presence or absence of an annular reflex and melanin in the macula were recorded. RESULTS: Mean B-BCVA was 20/84 at Visit A and 20/61 at Visit B (P < .001). B-BCVA improved in 80%. Improvement in B-BCVA and glasses wear, iris grade, macular grade, macular melanin, and annular reflex were weakly correlated. However, a moderate correlation was found between measured B-BCVA and iris grade at Visit A (r = 0.485, P < .001) and Visit B (r = 0.467, P < .001), and the presence of macular melanin at Visit A (r = 0.436, P < .001) and Visit B (r = 0.482, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: B-BCVA often improves in albinism in the early school years and this observation should be included in counseling. The etiology is unknown but may be related to change in nystagmus, use of precise null point, developmental maturation, and/or some of the ocular characteristics evaluated in this study.