BACKGROUND: The natural evolution toward emmetropia is governed by genetic factors, but experiments with animals have demonstrated that a feedback mechanism that depends on visual function may regulate ocular growth. We attempted to verify this hypothesis in school-age patients with amblyopia by observing the ocular growth and the refractive state in the fixating and nonfixating eye in myopia and hypermetropia. This situation simulates the animal model. METHODS: In 30 consecutive school-age patients with amblyopia, we prospectively evaluated axial length with echobiometry and the refractive state during cycloplegia induced by atropine. RESULTS: We found a statistically significant increase in axial length in the fixating eye of patients with hypermetropia compared with the amblyopic eye (P = .0008). In patients with myopia, we found less of an increase in axial length in the fixating eye compared with the amblyopic eye (P = .0048). CONCLUSION: Good vision seems to influence the evolution of ocular growth toward emmetropization.
BACKGROUND: The natural evolution toward emmetropia is governed by genetic factors, but experiments with animals have demonstrated that a feedback mechanism that depends on visual function may regulate ocular growth. We attempted to verify this hypothesis in school-age patients with amblyopia by observing the ocular growth and the refractive state in the fixating and nonfixating eye in myopia and hypermetropia. This situation simulates the animal model. METHODS: In 30 consecutive school-age patients with amblyopia, we prospectively evaluated axial length with echobiometry and the refractive state during cycloplegia induced by atropine. RESULTS: We found a statistically significant increase in axial length in the fixating eye of patients with hypermetropia compared with the amblyopic eye (P = .0008). In patients with myopia, we found less of an increase in axial length in the fixating eye compared with the amblyopic eye (P = .0048). CONCLUSION: Good vision seems to influence the evolution of ocular growth toward emmetropization.
Authors: Jing Fu; Shi Ming Li; Si Yuan Li; Jin Ling Li; He Li; Bi Dan Zhu; Zhou Yang; Lei Li; Ning Li Wang Journal: Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol Date: 2013-11-08 Impact factor: 3.117
Authors: Marjean T Kulp; Nicole C Foster; Jonathan M Holmes; Raymond T Kraker; B Michele Melia; Michael X Repka; D Robbins Tien Journal: Am J Ophthalmol Date: 2012-05-23 Impact factor: 5.258