GA vs. office measures of axial length

1 February 2016 | Fiona Rowe (Prof) | EYE - Paediatrics, EYE - Strabismus

Axial lengths were compared in an office setting versus under general anaesthetic (GA) to determine if awake office measures are feasible and whether differences in measures occur in both settings. The study included 33 eyes of 19 children; 84% male, 73% of eyes with cataract and 27% with clear lens. Average age was nine months (1-28). Two children were excluded where measures were not possible or there was too long a delay between the two measures. Average axial length was shorter by 0.12mm in office than GA measures: 18.88 versus 19.00mm which was not significant. There were no adverse during any measurement. Lens status and value measurement in the office setting was found to be significant with measurements tending to be larger for longer eyes. The authors conclude that measurements are feasible in most cases. They acknowledge the limitations of the study in relation to homogeneously white children, measures were not blinded and there was a short gap in time between the two measurements.