Myopia is considered one of the most common visual disorders worldwide and is structurally associated with an increase in axial length (AL). In a recent study conducted at Al-Mustaqbal University involving 2,948 eyes from individuals aged 18–33 years, the relationship between axial length (AL) and spherical equivalent (SE) was analyzed using advanced biometric devices (IOLMaster 700 and Nidek ARK-1). The results showed that the mean axial length was 23.33 mm in emmetropic eyes compared with 26.03 mm in myopic eyes, confirming the strong association between axial elongation and refractive status. The correlation between AL and SE was very strong in low myopia but became relatively weaker in moderate myopia, suggesting an additional contribution of anterior segment components in determining refractive power. Notably, females exhibited longer axial lengths within the same refractive categories compared to males, despite no significant difference in spherical equivalent, indicating optical compensation through corneal and lenticular components. The study also developed highly accurate predictive models to estimate the relationship between axial length and refraction, enhancing clinical applications in early diagnosis and myopia risk assessment. These findings represent an important scientific contribution to reference data in Iraq and support the adoption of diagnostic strategies based on precise axial measurements. https://doi.org/10.1080/08164622.2025.2589400   University of Al-Mustaqbal – The First and Leading Private University