A Comparative Study in Axial Length of Eye Between Myopes and Emmetropes in Indian Population

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The refractive state of the human eye is dependent on the balance of change in eye size and refractive components, namely, the cornea and crystalline lens. The axial length (AL) is the distance from the corneal surface to an interference peak corresponding to the retinal pigment epithelium. Myopia is one of the most common causes of visual impairment worldwide. It is proved in earlier studies that the eye shape is different in myopic and non-myopic children even at a very young age. AIM: The present study was conducted to compare the axial lengths of eye in myopes and emmetropes. MATERIALS & METHODS: Study comprised of Healthy individuals visiting for routine eye checkup and clinically diagnosed Myopia patients visiting outpatient department of Ophthalmology at Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore. Sample size was 380. A-Scan Biometry was used to determine the Axial Length of the eye. We compared axial length of eye in myopes & emmetropes. RESULTS: Out of 380 subjects 278 were myopes & 102 were emmetropes. Majority of the subjects (45.6%) belong to age group between 21-30years. Axial length was significantly (p<0.05) more in myopes (24.25±0.96) than emmetropes (23.52±0.96) in both the eyes. CONCLUSION: A greater AL of the eye was observed in the ccase group examined. Hence, axial lengthening is the main morphological factor related to myopia.