Objective To observe the distribution of macular thickness and its relationship with axial length, gender, refraction status and race in six-year-old children. Methods 1543 six-year-old children from 34 schools in Sydney were randomly selected. The thickness of center macula(CM), inner macula(IM)and outer macula (OM)were measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT), the differences of macular thickness between different genders and races were comparatively analyzed. The axial length and refraction status of all children were measured by IOL Master and autorefractor RK-F1 respectively. Results The CM, IM and OM thickness of all those six-year-old children were normally distributed,on average they were 193.6, 264.3 and 236.9 μm respectively, the differences were statistically significant (t = 0.40,0. 08,0.20;P＜0. 05). The CM,IM and OM average thickness was 194.2,264.9,229.0 μm for boys and 189.3,262.5,231.5 μm for girls respectively. CM and IM thickness of boys were thicker than those in girls(t=0. 15,0. 11;P＜0. 05). The CM, IM and OM average thickness was 196.0,265.2,237.5 μm for White kids,186.0,262.3,236.5 μm for East Asia kids and 193.4,263.7,233.8 μm for Central East kids respectively.The CM and IM thickness of White and Central East children were significantly thicker than East Asia children (t=0. 12,0.15; P＜0.05). There was no difference between these three races in OM thickness(t=0. 16,P=0.6). The IM and OM were thinner with longer axial length (P＜0. 05). The CM,IM and OM thickness was thicker with higher hyperopic degrees (P ＜0. 05). Conclusions Macular thickness was normally distributed in six-year-old children and was significantly affected by gender, race, axial length and refraction status.

INTRODUCTIONThe objectives of this study were to assess the utility and validity of the self-administered SF-36 and the effect of visual or cognitive impairment on these measures in an older population.

MATERIALS AND METHODSAttempt rates, completion rates and internal consistency (Cronbach alpha) were compared within the second cross-sectional, population-based Blue Mountains Eye Study (n = 3509, mean age 66.7 years, 57% women).

RESULTSThe SF-36 was attempted by 3162 (90.1%) participants, of which 2470 (78.1%) completed all items and 2873 (90.9%) completed sufficient items for calculation of all dimensions. In a multivariate model adjusting for age, sex, and presenting visual and cognitive impairments, women (P = 0.011) and participants with visual or cognitive impairments (P < 0.0001) were less likely to attempt the questionnaire. Completion rates were significantly lower with increasing age (P < 0.0001), in men (P < or = 0.0005) and in those with cognitive impairment (P < 0.0001). A high level of internal consistency (Cronbach alpha > 0.85 for all dimensions) and construct validity was demonstrated, the latter distinguishing between those with and without medical conditions, disabilities or recent hospital admissions (P < 0.01). As the prevalence of visual or cognitive impairment was relatively low in this population, we found no apparent effect of these impairments on the validity of SF-36.

CONCLUSIONSAttempt and completion rates, but not internal consistency and construct validity, of the SF-36 were influenced by age, gender, and presenting visual and cognitive impairments. The overall high attempt and completion rates, internal consistency and construct validity suggest that the self-administered SF-36 is a suitable healthrelated quality of life (HRQOL) measure in similar older community-living populations.

Aged ; Cognition Disorders ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Visually Impaired Persons