Factors associated with axial length elongation in high myopia in adults

AIM: To investigate the association of axial length (AL) and ocular factors on AL elongation. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent two or more AL examinations for more than two years. Totally 4 groups were divided according to initial AL (<24 mm, 24-26 mm, 26-28 mm, >= 28 mm). Initial fundus photograph was used to find risk factors associated AL elongation. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 47.21 +/- 7.79y. AL remained almost unchanged in the groups with AL<24 mm and 24 <= AL <= 26 mm. On the contrary, AL increased by 0.011 mm/y in the group with 26 <= AL<28 mm and 0.035 mm/y in the group with AL >= 28 mm (P<0.001). In high myopia, AL elongation increased in eye with longer AL (r=0.003, P=0.024), female gender (r=0.014, P=0.019), eye with larger peripapillary chorioretinal atrophic area (r=0.002, P=0.019), and smaller vascular arcade angle (r=-0.004, P=0.006). The risk of elongation 0.03 mm/y in high myopia was increased in female gender (P=0.040), and gradually increased in eye with large peripapillary chorioretinal atrophy area (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: AL elongate significantly in the eye with longer AL, female gender, and the eye with larger atrophic area and smaller arcade angle on fundus photography.