Cohort Study on Refractive Errors in Preschool Children

Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot listed
Trial typeObservational
Biological sexAll
Age0-6
SponsorZhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University

About this trial

Refractive error is a common visual disorder encompassing myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and other subtypes. Refractive error in preschool children refers to refractive abnormalities occurring during the preschool period (0-6 years old). Studies conducted across diverse regions and populations report that the prevalence of refractive error among preschool children ranges approximately from 10% to 30%, with this proportion showing a gradual upward trend in recent years. Existing evidence suggests that preschool refractive status is correlated with multiple ocular and systemic diseases. Furthermore, the preschool years represent a highly sensitive window for children's visual development; uncorrected refractive errors at this stage can disrupt visual maturation and induce permanent visual impairment. Accordingly, identifying the full spectrum of comorbidities associated with preschool refractive error, alongside implementing early diagnosis and intervention, is clinically critical.

Nevertheless, substantial challenges persist in the clinical management of preschool refractive errors: the complete comorbidity spectrum remains undefined, its natural history has not been fully elucidated, and high-quality evidence-based guidelines for refractive correction and visual rehabilitation are lacking. Establishing a prospective cohort of preschool children with refractive errors is therefore of great significance for clarifying disease progression and risk factors, generating evidence for standardized refractive interventions and visual rehabilitation protocols, and ultimately preventing visual impairment and improving quality of life in this vulnerable pediatric population.

Our research team has previously completed preliminary investigations characterizing myopia in preschoolers. Building on this foundational work, we aim to construct a dedicated cohort of preschool children with refractive errors to delineate the natural history, progression risks and comorbidity profiles of preschool refractive error, and explore effective refractive correction and visual rehabilitation approaches for affected young children.

Eligibility criteria

This trial does not accept healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Onset of refractive error occurs during preschool age (0-6 years old) supported by retrievable medical records;

Spherical equivalent power ≤ -0.50 D or ≥ +3.00 D in any meridian;

Legal guardians agree to participate and sign written informed consent.

Disqualifiers

None

Trial population

This study enrolls preschool children aged 0-6 years with refractive errors as the observation group. Eligible subjects meet the following inclusion criteria: refractive error onset during preschool period confirmed by available medical records, spherical power ≤ -0.50 D or ≥ +3.00 D in any meridian, and written informed consent provided by legal guardians. Children who cannot cooperate with ophthalmic examinations and long-term follow-up will be excluded.

Trial design

Design model

Cohort

Time perspective

Prospective

Treatments tested in this trial

Not listed

Trial groups

1,000 Participants
are grouped into 1 trial group
Group A: Refractive error

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

Ocular Biometry Parameters

A set of objective ocular structural measurements mainly including axial length (AL), alongside corneal curvature, anterior chamber depth, lens thickness and vitreous chamber depth. Axial length, the core indicator in this study, refers to the linear distance from the anterior corneal surface to the retinal pigment epithelium, which is closely associated with the onset and progression of refractive errors in preschool children. All biometric indices will be measured using standardized ophthalmic biometry equipment at each follow-up visit to dynamically observe the developmental rules of ocular dimensions and their correlation with refractive status.

Time frame
From date of enrollment until the date of loss to follow-up from any cause, whichever came first, assessed up to 36 months

Secondary outcomes

1

BCVA

Visual Acuity Examination

Time frame
From date of enrollment until the date of loss to follow-up from any cause, whichever came first, assessed up to 36 months
2

Contrast Sensitivity

CSF

Time frame
From date of enrollment until the date of loss to follow-up from any cause, whichever came first, assessed up to 36 months
3

SER

Spherical Equivalent Refraction,Comprehensive index reflecting overall ocular refractive status, integrating myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.

Time frame
From date of enrollment until the date of loss to follow-up from any cause, whichever came first, assessed up to 36 months
4

WES (Whole Exome Sequencing)

Genetic sequencing results of all protein-coding regions to detect gene variants related to refractive disorders.

Time frame
From date of enrollment until the date of loss to follow-up from any cause, whichever came first, assessed up to 36 months

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

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Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University

Lead sponsor

The People's Hospital of Ningxia

Collaborator

This trial is not recruiting at the moment. You can still explore other options: