非接触型眼軸長測定装置を用いた小児の眼軸長変化の検討

Changes in axial length in children measured by noncontact laser interference biometry

要約　目的：小児の眼軸長を非接触型眼軸長測定装置（IOLマスター）で測定し，6～12か月後の変化を年齢別に解析した結果の報告。対象と方法：視力低下を主訴として受診し，眼軸長を測定できた6～15歳の児童2,514人2,514眼と，6～12か月後に再測定ができた710眼を対象とした。これらの眼軸長とその変化を算出し，その結果をSpearman順位相関係数で解析した。結果：眼軸長と等価球面度数との間には負の相関があった（r＝－0.64，p＜0.0001）。眼軸長とその変化率とには，小学校低学年では正の相関があり（r＝0.32，p＝0.0002），小学校高学年（r＝0.15，p＝0.0025）と中学生（r＝0.25，p＝0.2376）には有意の相関がなかった。結論：小学校低学年者で視力低下があり，眼軸が長い症例では，急速に近視が進む可能性がある。

Abstract.　Purpose：To report changes in axial length in children measured by noncontact laser interference biometry. Cases and Method：This study was made on 2,514 eyes in 2,514 schoolchildren who complained of failing visual acuity and who could be tested for refraction and axial length using an IOL Master. Changes in axial length were measured in 710 eyes 6 to 12 months later. Findings were analyzed using Spearman rank correlation coefficient. Results：Spherical equivalent of refraction was negatively correlated with the axial length（r＝－0.64,p＜0.0001）. There was a positive correlation between the axial length and its changes in children aged from 6 to 8 years（r＝0.32,p＝0.0002）. There was no correlation in children aged 9 to 11 years（r＝0.15,p＝0.0025）or in those aged 12 to 14 years（r＝0.25,p＝0.2376）. Conclusion：There is a possibility for myopia to rapidly progress in children aged 6 to 8 years who complain of failing visual acuity and who show elongated axial length.