Association between choriocapillaris perfusion and axial elongation in children using defocus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) spectacle lenses

PurposeTo investigate choroidal and ocular biological variables that influence axial length (AL) elongation in children wearing defocused incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) spectacle lenses.MethodsThis cohort study included 106 myopic children aged 7-14 years with a 1-year follow-up. Participants were divided into two groups according to the increase in AL in one year: rapid (>0.2 mm) and slow (& LE;0.2 mm) axial elongation groups. Cycloplegic autorefraction and AL were measured at baseline and after 6 and 12 months. The area of choriocapillaris flow voids (FVs) and choroidal thickness (ChT) at baseline were measured.ResultsUnivariate linear regression analysis showed that AL elongation were significantly associated with the FVs area (standardised & beta; = 0.198, P < 0.05) and age (standardised & beta; = -0.201, P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression showed that the FVs area, age, and average K reading were associated with AL elongation. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that greater degrees of myopia and larger FVs areas were risk factors for rapid axial elongation, while older age, large pupil diameter and steeper cornea were protective factors. In estimating axial elongation, the FVs area alone demonstrated an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.672 (95% CI, 0.569-0.775, P < 0.01), and that of FVs area and other ocular variables was 0.788 (95% CI, 0.697-0.878, P < 0.001).ConclusionLarger choriocapillaris FVs area at baseline may help to predict axial elongation in myopic eyes. The association between FVs area and axial elongation should be taken into consideration in further myopic cohort studies.

Automated summary

The purpose of this study was to investigate choroidal and ocular biological variables that influence axial length elongation in myopic children wearing defocused incorporated multiple segments spectacle lenses. The results showed that the area of choriocapillaris flow voids and age were significantly associated with axial length elongation. Further analysis indicated that larger choriocapillaris flow voids area, age, and average K reading were associated with axial length elongation. These findings help predict axial elongation in myopic eyes.