Abstract

Volume.116 Number.2

Original article : Clinical science

Relationship between Birth Month and Ocular Refraction Noted during Eye Disease Checkups for Three-and-a-half-year-old Children in Japan
Koji Matsuda1, Tsuranu Yokoyama2, Kyoko Matsuda3, Shizu Ohnaka3
1 Matsuda Eye Clinic
2 Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Children's Medical Center, Osaka City General Hospital
3 Kishiwada City Health Center

Purpose: To examine the relationship between birth month and ocular refraction in three-and-a-half-year-old children.
Methods: A total of 487 children were examined during eye disease checkups performed in three-and-a-half-year-old children in Kishiwada, Japan. Using left eye data, mean refractive values were calculated and graphically analyzed for each birth month. The relationship between refraction and birth season was evaluated by ANOVA.
Results: A slight shift in the mean refraction to the hyperopic side was found for subjects born in September and October. The mean refractions±SE were: -0.058±0.057D in spring (n=118), -0.001±0.052D in summer (n=124), +0.133±0.064D in autumn (n=112), and -0.143±0.055D in winter(n=111). Comparisons of refraction for each birth season proved to be significantly different, with subjects born in autumn found to be more hyperopic(p=0.008).
Conclusion: A relationship between refraction and birth season was found in three-and-a-half-year-old children, with children born in the autumn tending to be more hyperopic.
Nippon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi (J Jpn Ophthalmol Soc) 116: 95-99, 2012.

Key words
Birth month, Refraction, Hyperopia, Birth season, Eye disease checkup
Corresponding Author（Reprint requests to）
Koji Matsuda, M.D.　Matsuda Eye Clinic. 2965 Shinge, Sennan-shi, Osakafu 590-0503, Japan
Received: 13 June 2011. Accepted in revised form: 29 August 2011.
Nihon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi 116: 95-99,2012