Axial length normative data and percentile curves for schoolchildren in Taiwan: A tool for myopia monitoring.
Journal
Ophthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists)
ISSN
1475-1313
Date Issued
2025-06-20
Author(s)
Abstract
Purpose: The prevention and control of myopia are crucial public health issues. Therefore, this study aimed to construct reference percentile curves of age-specific axial length based on population-based sampling data of Taiwanese children and assess their role in the progression of myopia using a cohort of children undergoing orthokeratology.
Methods: Data from 2997 representative samples of schoolchildren aged 6-18 years from a recent myopia survey in Taiwan between 2016 and 2017 were analysed for axial length distribution. Additionally, data from a cohort of 35 children with myopia treated with orthokeratology (mean follow-up period: 36.1 ± 14.6 months) were retrospectively collected. The ability to estimate myopia progression based on percentile change rate was compared with that of axial elongation rate through model comparisons involving linear and linear mixed-effect models.
Results: Percentile curves of the children's age-specific axial length were modelled and served as a population-based reference in Taiwan. The percentile change rate in the cohort of orthokeratology users showed a higher correlation (ρ = 0.64) with the myopia progression rate compared to the axial length elongation rate (ρ = 0.57). The baseline spherical equivalent and percentile change rate demonstrated the most effective performance in estimating myopia progression among all parameters.
Conclusions: Population-based reference percentile curves were established for age-specific axial length in Taiwanese schoolchildren, which can serve as valuable indicators for assessing individual health and monitoring vision trends within the population.
Subjects
axial length
myopia
orthokeratology
vision
SDGs
Type
journal article