Baseline metrics that may predict future myopia in young children

Impact of stimulant treatment on refractive errors and pupil diameter in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

PURPOSE

The relationship between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and visual impairment remains poorly understood, and the impact of visual impairment on the development of ADHD is uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate the refractive profile and ocular biometric characteristics in patients diagnosed with ADHD and compare them with a control group. Additionally, we aimed to explore the potential influence of sex and medication intake.

METHODS

A cohort of 100 participants, including 50 individuals with ADHD and 50 age- and sex-matched control subjects, was included in this study. Ocular biometric parameters were measured, and refractive error was assessed using cycloplegic and non-cycloplegic autorefraction. Subgroup analyses were performed within the ADHD group based on sex, medication intake and age to investigate potential associations with the ocular findings.

RESULTS

We observed no statistically significant differences in axial length, corneal topography parameters or anterior chamber characteristics between ADHD and control subjects. However, subgroup analysis within the ADHD group revealed that the prevalence of ametropia under cycloplegia was significantly higher in unmedicated (69.6%) compared to medicated (37.5%) (X2(2) = 7.320, p = 0.026) participants. Pupil diameter was significantly larger in medicated (3.91 mm) compared to unmedicated (3.58 mm; p = 0.017) individuals. Males had flatter (p = 0.004) and thicker (p = 0.008) corneas than females. Older ADHD participants had higher refractive error (p = 0.008 for non-cycloplegic and p = 0.0.003 for cycloplegic), axial length (p = 0.002) and corneal astigmatism (p = 0.049).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides compelling evidence that individuals diagnosed with ADHD exhibit a similar incidence of refractive errors and ocular parameters compared to normal subjects. Nonetheless, the prevalence of refractive errors appears to be higher in unmedicated ADHD patients, suggesting the potential benefit of stimulant treatment. Additionally, stimulant use is associated with an increase in pupil diameter.

The accuracy of using vergence formula to screen myopia in children: a cross-sectional study

Objective

To evaluate the accuracy of using the vergence formula to screen myopia in children and adolescents.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study conducted between December 2022 and May 2023 at the ophthalmology clinic of Beijing Tongren Hospital. A total of 336 children aged 6 to 12 years with refractive errors were selected according to the inclusion criteria. Biometric measurements, including axial length, corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth, corneal curvature, and lens thickness, were obtained using a biometer. The Calculated spherical equivalent (SE) was then calculated using the vergence formula. Cycloplegic refraction was performed after paralysis of the ciliary muscle, and the subjective SE was recorded. A diagnosis of myopia was made if the subjective SE was ≤ -0.50 diopters.

Results

The AL/CR, subjective SE, and calculated SE were not normally distributed (p < 0.05). The AL/CR value was 3.08 (2.81, 3.27), the SE was -1.60 D (-6.00 D, 3.75 D), and the calculated SE was -1.42 D (-6.64 D, 5.73 D). There was no significant difference between the calculated SE and the SE (Z = -2.899, p = 0.004). The AL/CR value was negatively correlated with SE (r = -0.687, p < 0.01), and the calculated SE was positively correlated with SE (r = 0.827, p < 0.01). The area under the ROC curve for predicting myopia using AL/CR and calculated SE was 0.876 and 0.962, respectively, and the difference between the two was significant (p < 0.001). The sensitivity of AL/CR was 84.2%, the specificity was 70.6%, the accuracy was 82.1%, and the Youden index was 0.548. The sensitivity of calculated SE was 83.1%, the specificity was 100%, the accuracy was 85.7%, and the Youden index was 0.831.

Conclusion

The vergence formula can be used to evaluate myopia in children and adolescents with relatively high accuracy without cycloplegic refraction.