Ewelina Lachowicz

Publications of Ewelina Lachowicz

• The effect of genetic factors on the occurrence of myopia.

  Authors: Damian Czepita, Artur Mojsa, Maria Ustianowska, Maciej Czepita, Ewelina Lachowicz

  Klinika oczna. 01/2011; 113(1-3):22-4.

  The aim of this study was to investigate on a large population if and how genetic factors have an influence on the occurrence of myopia. A total of 5533 students were examined (2659 boys and 2874The aim of this study was to investigate on a large population if and how genetic factors have an influence on the occurrence of myopia. A total of 5533 students were examined (2659 boys and 2874 girls, in age 6 18 years, mean age 11.9, S.D. 3.2). The examination included retinoscopy under cycloplegia induced with 1% tropicamide. Myopia was defined as a spherical equivalent of at least -0.5 dioptres. The students and their parents completed a questionnaire on the child's family history of myopia. Data analysis was performed using chi-squared test; p-values of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. It was found that myopia occurs more often in students whose father (p < 0.001), mother (p < 0.001) or siblings (p < 0.0001) have myopia. A relation between the occurrence of myopia in grandparents and grandchildren was not observed (p > 0.05). The obtained results indicate that genetic factors have a significant effect on the occurrence of myopia.

• [Eye development in children. Part I. Eyeball dimensions].

  Authors: Ewelina Lachowicz, Damian Czepita

  Klinika oczna. 01/2010; 112(7-9):263-7.

  The aim of an article is to introduce and elaborate on the available literature concerning eyeball development. The information content in the article comes from studies performed on groups ofThe aim of an article is to introduce and elaborate on the available literature concerning eyeball development. The information content in the article comes from studies performed on groups of children of different ages. In some analysis study groups were chosen depending on sex. Axial length of the eye, depth of anterior chamber, lens's thickness and vitreous's dimension was defined. Intensive changes of eyeball dimensions progress with age. A period of fast and slow growth of the eye can be discerned. Axial length of the eye, depth of anterior chamber, lens's thickness and vitreous's dimension increase over time. Growth of the axial length is mainly caused by increasing axial length of vitreous cavity. The increase in depth of the anterior chamber plays a lesser role. Girls tend to have shorter eyes compared with boys. Both age and male gender are associated with deeper anterior chambers and larger vitreous cavity. Lens thickness decreases with the growth of the eyeball. However gender does not play a role. Based on current literature, it is difficult exactly indicate what are the standards of eyeball growth in children and youths. To establish these parameters, further studies on the another examination in representative group of children and teenagers are necessary.

• [Eye development in children. Part II. Eye refraction].

  Authors: Ewelina Lachowicz, Damian Czepita

  Klinika oczna. 01/2010; 112(10-12):337-41.

  The aim of this article is to introduce and elaborate on changes of eye refraction during growth of the eyeball based on available literature. All the data in the article comes from studies performedThe aim of this article is to introduce and elaborate on changes of eye refraction during growth of the eyeball based on available literature. All the data in the article comes from studies performed on children from different age groups. In some studies children were divided to different gender groups with some parameters being analyzed separately. Total refraction, corneal and lens power was defined. The theory concerning process to reach emmetropia was presented. The eyeball dimensions undergo intensive change with age. During this time a period of fast and slow growth of the eye can be observed. Axial length of the eye, corneal curvature, depth of anterior chamber, lens's structure and curvature are developed. Due to the dynamic growth of the eyeball, changes in eye refraction also occur. A correct anatomically and functioning eye is called emmetropic. Changes of eye refraction mostly occur during the early years of life and afterward stabilize. Refraction depends on the increase of axial length and changes in corneal and lens power. The process to reach emmetropia in the eye is based on local feedback mechanism. Emmetropia is the result of both passive and active processes during the period of growth. Total refracting power is reduced after birth to maintain an emmetropic state in adults. Mean corneal and lens power. decreased with age. Girls tend to have steeper corneas, stronger crystalline lenses and shorter eyeballs compared with boys. Refraction of small eyeballs in children is more powerful than in adults. Based on available literature it is difficult to conclusively indicate the standards of refraction during growth in children and teenagers. In order to establish these parameters, further examinations on a representative group of children and teenagers is necessary.

• Reading, writing, working on a computer or watching television, and myopia.

  Authors: Damian Czepita, Artur Mojsa, Maria Ustianowska, Maciej Czepita, Ewelina Lachowicz

  Klinika oczna. 01/2010; 112(10-12):293-5.

  The aim of our study was to investigate on a large population if reading, writing, working on a computer or watching television might be associated with the occurrence of myopia. A total of 5865The aim of our study was to investigate on a large population if reading, writing, working on a computer or watching television might be associated with the occurrence of myopia. A total of 5865 schoolchildren were examined (2792 boys and 3073 girls, at the age 6-18 years, mean age 11.9, S.D. 3.3). The examination included retinoscopy under cycloplegia induced with 1% tropicamide. Myopia was defined as a spherical equivalent of at least -0.50 dioptres. Mean refractive error was -1.2, SD 1.3. (The students and their parents completed a questionnaire on the child's visual work. Data analysis was performed using independence chi-squared Pearson test; p-values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant. It was observed that myopia occurs more often in students who read and write >2 hours/day (p<0.001), and also work >0.8 hours/day on a computer (p<0.01). Furthermore, no increase in the prevalence of myopia in subjects who spend >2 hours/day watching television was found (p>0.05). The obtained results indicate that reading, writing, working on a computer might be associated with the occurrence of myopia among schoolchildren. Watching television is not related to the occurrence of myopia.

• Prevalence of refractive errors in schoolchildren ranging from 6 to 18 years of age.

  Authors: Damian Czepita, Artur Mojsa, Maria Ustianowska, Maciej Czepita, Ewelina Lachowicz

  Annales Academiae Medicae Stetinensis. 01/2007; 53(1):53-6.

  PURPOSE: The aim of the paper was to study the prevalence of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism in schoolchildren ranging from 6-18 years of age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 5724 children from elementaryPURPOSE: The aim of the paper was to study the prevalence of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism in schoolchildren ranging from 6-18 years of age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 5724 children from elementary schools, junior high schools and high schools were examined (2765 boys and 2959 girls, aged 6-18 years, mean age 11.7, SD = 3.2). The examined students were Caucasian and resided in and around Szczecin, Poland. The examination included retinoscopy under cycloplegia. The refractive error readings were expressed as the spherical equivalent (SE). Myopia was defined as SE of at least -0.5 D, hyperopia as SE of at least +1.0 D. Astigmatism was diagnosed when the difference in the refraction of axes in one eye was greater than 0.5 DC. The statistical analysis of data was performed by calculating the linear correlation coefficients and the coefficients for the regression equation. Additionally, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was calculated. P values of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: It was observed that 13% of Polish students in the age group from 6 to 18 were myopic, 38% of students were hyperopic and 4% were astigmatic. Besides, a positive correlation was found between the prevalence of myopia and age (p <0.001) as well as a negative correlation between prevalence of hyperopia and age (p < 0.001). An association between the prevalence of astigmatism and age was not observed.

• Role of gender in the occurrence of refractive errors.

  Authors: Damian Czepita, Artur Mojsa, Maria Ustianowska, Maciej Czepita, Ewelina Lachowicz

  Annales Academiae Medicae Stetinensis. 01/2007; 53(2):5-7.

  PURPOSE: The aim of the paper was to study the role of gender in the occurrence of refractive errors in schoolchildren ranging from 6-18 years of age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 5865 children fromPURPOSE: The aim of the paper was to study the role of gender in the occurrence of refractive errors in schoolchildren ranging from 6-18 years of age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 5865 children from elementary schools, junior high schools and high schools were examined (2845 boys, aged 6-18 years, mean age 11.4, SD = 3.0 and 3020 girls, aged 6-18 years, mean age 11.9, SD = 3.3). The examined students were Caucasian and resided in and around Szczecin, Poland. The examination included retinoscopy under cycloplegia. The refractive error readings were reported as spherical equivalent (SE). Myopia was defined as SE of at least -0.5 D, hyperopia as SE of at least +1.0 D. Astigmatism was diagnosed when the difference in the refraction of axes in one eye was > 0.5 DC. Data analysis was performed using chi2 test. P values of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: It was found that myopia occurs more frequently in girls (7.4%) than in boys (5.1%) - p < 0.001. Hyperopia occurs more frequently in boys (19.6%) than in girls (18.2%) - p < 0.001. A slightly higher prevalence of astigmatism in girls (1.9%) than in boys (1.5%) was also observed (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Gender influences the occurrence of myopia and hyperopia in schoolchildren ranging from 6-18 years of age.