The Relationship Between Axial Length and Age in Patients with Congenital Cataract

Abstract

Background: Congenital cataract can impair visual development, while axial length is an important parameter in pediatric ocular assessment. Objectives: This study examined the relationship between axial length and age among patients diagnosed with congenital cataract. Methods: A retrospective analytical cross-sectional study reviewed medical records from Dr. Soetomo General Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia, between January 2021 and December 2022. Total sampling included 24 patients. Descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation, and paired t-tests were reported. Results: Patients ranged from 2 months to 17 years (mean age, 3.35 years). Thirteen patients had unilateral cataract and 11 had bilateral cataract, involving 35 affected eyes. Mean axial lengths were 20.71 ± 2.16 mm in 17 right eyes and 20.82 ± 1.93 mm in 18 left eyes. The reported age–axial-length correlation could not be reliably interpreted because the correlation coefficient and P value were inconsistent, and the analytical unit was unclear. Conclusions: These findings describe axial length characteristics among pediatric patients with congenital cataract but cannot establish the relationship between age and axial length. Verification of patient-level data and reanalysis accounting for bilateral eye measurements are necessary.