What is the axial length of the human eye at birth?

The axial length of the human eye at birth is approximately 16-17 mm, with 14 mm being a representative measurement that is often cited in various texts and studies. This length is critical as it reflects the developmental stage of an infant's eye. After birth, the eye continues to grow significantly, reaching an average adult axial length of about 23-24 mm by the time a person is fully grown.

Understanding the axial length is essential in fields like optometry and ophthalmology, as it directly impacts the eye's refractive properties and influences conditions such as myopia and hyperopia. It also plays a crucial role in fitting contact lenses and understanding vision development from infancy to adulthood.

Given this information, 14 mm is noted as being the closest to the typical measurement for infants, thus making it the correct choice in this context.