Purpose To investigate the association between the macular volume and thickness, as assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT), with refraction state and axial length (AL) in children. Methods A total of 100 normal children whose right eyes were randomly selected were divided into five groups due to their refraction, comprising hyperopia, emmetropia, low myopia, moderate myopia, high myopia. The AL of the eyes was measured by IOL mas ter measuring machine. Then the macular volume and thickness were measured by OCT. Results Children with high myopia have smaller macular volume and thinner parafoveal retinal thickness (especially out-ring macular). The minimum thickness and average thickness of the fovea were not significantly different among the five groups. The macular volume ,total average macular thickness and quadrant-specific macular thickness(except the nasal inner quadrants) were positively associated with refraction and negatively associated with AL, while t here were no correlation between minimum foveal thickness, the average foveal th ickness and refraction or AL. Conclusions In Chinese children, increasing axial length was associated with reduced macular volume and thickness (except the foveal region and the nasal inner quadrant). (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,2008,24:114-117)