• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.397-402
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• 2014

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between axial length (AL) and anthropometric parameters in Korean children. Methods: This study included 40 urban school children aged 11-12 years (mean age, $11.95{\pm}0.22$ years; 45.0% girls) residing in Seoul, South Korea. AL (using partial coherence laser interferometry), corneal radius, refractive error, height (m), and weight (kg) were measured. Body mass index (BMI $[kg/m^2]=weight/[height]^2$) and degree of obesity (DO[%]=[actual weight standard weight]/standard weight) were calculated. Furthermore, the number of hours spent reading, watching television, and using a computer every day was determined using a detailed questionnaire. Results: The students had a mean spherical equivalent refraction of $1.06{\pm}0.84$ D. Weight (r=0.427, p=0.006), BMI (r=0.508, p=0.001), and DO (r=0.371, p=0.018) showed a significant positive correlation with AL. Furthermore, longer AL was significantly associated with heavier weight (p=0.041), and higher BMI (p=0.015), and higher DO quartiles (p=0.042). After adjust for age, sex, and near-work activities, multivariate linear regression models showed that weight, BMI, and DO were still significantly associated with AL. Among the near-work activities, daily reading time was significantly associated with AL. Conclusions: AL was positively related to weight as well as daily reading time in Korean urban school children.