Deeper Anterior Chamber Depth associated with Faster Myopia Progression in Children: Study
Axial length (AL) is a more sensitive indicator than spherical equivalent (SE) for monitoring the progression of myopia in children, according to a recent study published in Frontiers in Medicine. The study was conducted by Huijie C. and colleagues. The present study highlights the role of AL as an essential parameter in myopia progression monitoring and the role of ACD in possibly contributing to the growth of AL.
The study spanned over six months where 417 students from grades 1 to 8 in Chongqing, China participated. Baseline data were collected in March 2023 through comprehensive ophthalmologic examinations that included a spectrum of tests: UCVA, non-cycloplegic refraction, AL measurements, and corneal topography. Follow-up evaluations were done six months later. All the same procedures applied to evaluate visual parameters were used. In addition, a visual habits questionnaire was administered to study the association of vision-related behavior with AL growth.
Results
The following results were found from the study:
• Incidence of Myopia: It increased from a baseline value of 33.3% to follow-up value of 38.6%.
• Axial Length (AL): Demonstrated an increase, and the follow-up AL was measured at 23.69 ± 1.03 mm against the baseline measurement of 23.57 ± 1.03 mm, p < 0.001.
• Anterior Chamber Depth (ACD): Students with an increase in AL ≥0.2 mm had a deeper ACD than those with AL growth ≤0.05 mm, at 3.16 ± 0.23 mm as against 3.02 ± 0.28 mm, p = 0.001.
• LT: Lower in children with higher AL growth (3.29 ± 0.10 mm) than in those with lesser AL growth (3.33 ± 0.10 mm, p = 0.004).
• Correlation: ACD was positively correlated with AL growth (r = 0.181, p < 0.001).
• These findings emphasize the importance of AL and ACD as key parameters in the study of myopia progression in children.
Axial length significantly proved to be a more sensitive and reliable parameter than spherical equivalent for monitoring myopia progression in children. It was observed that a positive correlation between anterior chamber depth and AL growth, which means deeper ACD more likely leads to longer AL growth. Thus, the new findings raise the necessity to include AL and ACD assessment in routine ophthalmologic examinations to better understand and address the issue of myopia progression.
Reference:
Cao, H., Xiang, Y., Cheng, H., Sun, K., Zheng, S., Du, M., Gao, N., Zhang, T., Yang, X., Xia, J., Wan, W., & Hu, K. (2025). Deep anterior chamber depth may be a risk factor for axial length growth in children. Frontiers in Medicine, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2024.1489989
