What is Axial Length—And Why Should Parents Care About It?
When it comes to your child’s eye health, most parents are familiar with terms like “eye grade” or “refractive error.” But there’s another important measurement that plays a crucial role in understanding and managing myopia (nearsightedness): axial length.
What Is Axial Length?
Axial length is the distance from the front of the eye (cornea) to the back of the eye (retina), measured in millimeters.
A normal axial length is around 22 to 24 mm.
In myopic eyes, the axial length is longer, which causes light to focus in front of the retina, resulting in blurred distance vision.
Even small increases in axial length can significantly affect a child’s prescription, making accurate tracking essential for early intervention.
Why Does Axial Length Matter?
While a child’s glasses prescription (eye grade) may appear stable, axial length can continue to increase without obvious symptoms. This measurement gives eye doctors a more reliable and objective way to assess the progression of myopia.
Tracking axial length is especially important because:
It reveals how fast myopia is progressing—even before prescription changes.
It helps assess the long-term risk of eye diseases like retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic maculopathy.
It allows for early and personalized myopia control strategies.
Axial Length vs. Eye Grade: What's the Difference?
How Is Axial Length Measured?
Axial length is measured non-invasively using devices such as optical biometers or ultrasound. These tools are painless, quick, and highly accurate.
At Soliman Paroli Optical, we use advanced instruments to monitor axial length in children enrolled in our myopia control program—helping ensure that their treatment is effective and appropriately adjusted over time.
Why Should Parents Care?
Because axial length is directly related to your child’s risk for future vision-threatening conditions. An eye that is too long is more prone to:
Retinal detachment
Glaucoma
Myopic maculopathy (a degenerative condition that can lead to permanent vision loss)
By regularly monitoring axial length, you and your eye doctor can work together to reduce these risks and protect your child’s long-term eye health.
What Can You Do?
Bring your child for regular eye exams, even if their vision seems stable.
Ask your optometrist if they measure axial length and how often it should be tracked.
Consider myopia control options such as orthokeratology (Ortho-K), DIMS spectacle lenses, multifocal contact lenses, or low-dose atropine eye drops.
Encourage outdoor play and reduce excessive screen time—these have been shown to help reduce myopia progression.
Visit Us
At Soliman Paroli Optical - San Fernando Branch, we provide comprehensive myopia monitoring, including axial length measurement, tailored treatment plans, and family-centered care.
Clinic Address:
1/F Fortune Square Building, McArthur Highway, City of San Fernando, Pampanga
Landmark: In front of Coca-Cola Plant, near Villa Julieta
Contact: +63 915 860 0555 | (045) 402 6386
Book an appointment today and receive a FREE initial consultation for myopia control.
About the author:
Dr Mark Paroli is an Optometrist whose practice includes designing and fitting Artificial Eyes, fitting specialty contact lenses such as Orthokeratology lenses, Scleral Lenses, Kerasoft Lenses, and RGP Lenses.
References and Sources
Read SA, Collins MJ, Vincent SJ. Light exposure and eye growth in childhood. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. 2015.
Brennan NA, Toubouti YM, Cheng X, Bullimore MA. Efficacy of myopia control interventions: A report by the International Myopia Institute. Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics. 2021.
Sankaridurg P. Contact lenses to slow progression of myopia. Clinical & Experimental Optometry. 2017.
International Myopia Institute. https://www.myopiainstitute.org
American Academy of Ophthalmology. https://www.aao.org