why choose us

300×250 Ad Slot

Research Article: Age-related changes in lens thickness in children aged 3–17 years and its association with myopia and ocular biological parameters: a cross-sectional and longitudinal study

Date Published: 2026-05-15

Abstract:
To investigate age-related changes in lens thickness(LT)and its associations with ocular biometrics and refractive status in children aged 3–17 years. A retrospective analysis of 699 children (1,398 eyes) undergoing ophthalmic examinations (June–August 2023).LT,axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD), mean corneal curvature (Km), and central corneal thickness (CCT) were measured via IOL Master 700. Longitudinal data were collected at 1-year ( n =?285) and 2-year ( n =?135) follow-ups. Multiple linear regression and repeated measures ANOVA were employed. The median of LT was 3.42?mm (25th percentile, P25: 3.28; 75th percentile, P75: 3.56), which was significantly negatively correlated with age (r?=??0.434, P <?0.001).LT exhibited a triphasic pattern:significant decrease before age 10(3.66?3.43?3.35?mm; P <?0.001), stabilization at 10–12 years,and mild thickening after age 13(+0.01?mm/year). Females demonstrated thicker LT than males (3.46?±?0.22 vs.3.41?±?0.20?mm; P <?0.001). LT negatively correlated with AL(r?=??0.512) and ACD(r?=??0.595), but not Km or CCT. Non-myopic children had thicker LT than myopic counterparts (3.54?±?0.22 vs.3.35?±?0.15?mm; P <?0.001). Longitudinally, LT decreased in ages 3–9,stabilized at 10–12, and increased in 13–17 years. Multiple regression identified ACD ( ? =?0.498), age ( ? =?0.121), and Km( ? =?0.119) as independent LT predictors (R 2 =?0.473). LT follows an age-dependent pattern of early decline, adolescent stabilization, and subsequent thickening. Thicker lenses in non-myopic children suggest lenticular compensation in refractive development. Age 10 represents a critical intervention window, with LT serving as a potential biomarker for pediatric refractive status assessment.

Introduction:
Myopia has become one of the foremost global public health issues, with the global prevalence rate projected to rise to 49.8% by 2050, particularly alarming in children and adolescents ( 1 , 2 ). The axial length (AL), corneal curvature (Km), and lens refractive power are the three core factors regulating refractive status in children ( 3 ). Corneal curvature tends to stabilize after the age of 2 ( 3 ), while lens refractive power gradually declines with age, maintaining emmetropic balance through compensatory…

Read more

300×250 Ad Slot