Search Results (6)

Objectives: To determine how optometrists in Canada manage their pediatric myopia patients and to assess whether this has changed over time. Methods: In a retrospective chart review, records for children aged 6–10 years who had an eye exam between 2017 to 2021 were reviewed. Children were grouped by presenting refraction (myopes ≤ −0.50 D or pre-myopes ≤ +0.75 D). Up to five unique patients were selected for each age (6, 7, 8, 9, and 10) and initial visit year (2017 to 2021) for each group (myopes and pre-myopes), for a maximum of 250 files per practice. Demographic information, refraction, and recommended interventions were recorded. Logistic regression was used to model the likelihood of being prescribed a myopia control intervention based on patient and optometrist characteristics. Results: A total of 2905 patients (n = 1467 (50%) female) from 15 practices across Ontario, Canada, were included, accounting for 8546 visits. Optometrists predominantly prescribed single-vision spectacle correction as a first-line intervention for myopic children, although this declined from 98.2% in 2017 to 56.7% in 2023. The use of myopia control modalities increased from 1.8% to 43.3% over this same period. Optometrists began recommending myopia control at lower myopic refractive errors over time (−2.63 DS in 2017 vs and −1.49 DS in 2020). Myopia control spectacles were the most commonly prescribed intervention, despite the observation that optometrists are not hesitant to fit contact lenses in younger children. Optometrists who had been in practice longer were more likely to prescribe older forms of myopia control (e.g., bifocals/progressives) than more recent graduates. Conclusions: While single-vision spectacle correction remains a primary approach for initial myopia management in Ontario, Canada, optometrists increasingly recommend myopia control and are initiating interventions earlier. Full article

Objectives: We aimed to investigate how optometrists in Hong Kong are managing myopic and “pre-myopic” children. Methods: Clinical files for children aged 6 to 10 years old who had eye examinations from 2017 to 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Children were grouped by the initial spherical equivalent refractive error (SER) as myopes or pre-myopes. The demographic data, refractive error, and myopia management recommended by the optometrists were analyzed. Results: A total of 1,318 children (859 myopes and 459 pre-myopes) from ten clinics in Hong Kong were included. Over 5 years, myopia management recommendations shifted significantly (p < 0.001). In 2017, only 18.4% of children were recommended to pursue myopia control (MC), increasing to 42.8% by 2021. The use of MC spectacle lenses increased from 7.3% in 2017 to 36.8% in 2021, becoming the most recommended option. Orthokeratology, MC contact lenses, and atropine remained stable at less than 5% over this period. Children recommended for MC approaches had significantly more myopia than those recommended single-vision lenses or monitoring (p < 0.05). Age of the first visit significantly correlated with SER change from the first visit to the next recommendation update for pre-myopes (r = 0.27, p = 0.013) but not for myopes. Conclusions: From 2017 to 2021, myopia management patterns in Hong Kong shifted significantly, with more children being recommended for myopia control. MC spectacle lenses emerged as the most commonly recommended method. Younger pre-myopes at their first visit were more likely to have earlier management updates. Full article

Introduction. Evidence is consistent with increased screen viewing time among children and adolescents, and anticipation at the age at which children interact with media devices. Incorrect use of technology, as well as overuse, may lead to serious consequences. This study aims to revise scientific international literature and to describe the potential eye risks correlated to screen viewing time in the pediatric age. Materials and Methods. A review of the literature was performed according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, using the search terms “media device” and “eye” with the filter “age 0–18”. Results. Analyzing the international literature, we found 26 articles. Pre-myopia, myopia, digital eye strain, and acute acquired comitant esotropia were listed as potential and time-related consequences associated with the incorrect use of media devices among children and adolescents. Discussion. Family education on media device exposure and potential risk for children and adolescents’ sight in case of prolonged digital/screen exposure is required. During pediatric check controls, a dialogue with families on prolonged media device use at a close distance should be undertaken. Pediatricians and ophthalmologists should consider screen viewing time in case of ocular problems. Full article

Background: Determination of the number of pupils at risk of developing pre-myopia and selected ophthalmic parameters in a group of 1155 children aged 8. Material: Ophthalmic examinations were performed in Polish 8-year-old, /1518 individuals/; 1155 of whom presented complete data for analysis. There was a total of 554 (47.9%) girls and 602 (52.1%) boys. Examination of the anterior and posterior segment of the eye, evaluation of accommodation, convergence, heterophoria, alignment of the eyeball, muscular balance with ocular mobility in 9 directions of gaze, and spatial vision were tested. Refraction was obtained under cycloplegia. Refractions (spherical equivalent, SE). were categorized as pre-myopia (−0.50 D–+0.75 D), myopia (≤−0.5 D), emmetropia (>−0.5 D to ≤+0.5 D), mildly hyperopia (>+0.5 D to ≤+2.0 D) and hyperopia (>+2.0 D). Data analysis was performed using Statistica 13.5 software: chi-squared, Pearson’s, t-Student, and U Mann–Whitney tests. p-values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Pre-myopia was diagnosed in as many as 704 subjects (60.9%) with a similar frequency among both girls—328 (46.6%)—and boys with 376 (53.4%). Conclusions: Current data indicates that the growing group of myopic individuals in many industrialized countries is the sixth most common cause of blindness. Further research is crucial to understand the factors underlying accommodative and binocular mechanisms for myopia development and progression and to make recommendations for targeted interventions to slow the progression of myopia in a group of early school children. Full article

Objectives To find out the prevalence rate of pre-myopia among primary school students in the Mianyang Science City Area, analyze its related risk factors, and thus provide a reference for local authorities to formulate policies on the prevention and control of myopia for primary school students. Methods From September to October 2021, Cluster sampling was adopted by our research group to obtain the vision levels of primary school students employing a diopter test in the Science City Area. In addition, questionnaires were distributed to help us find the risk factors associated with pre-myopia. Through the statistical analysis, we identify the main risk factors for pre-myopia and propose appropriate interventions. Results The prevalence rate of pre-myopia among primary school students in the Science City Area was 45.27% (1020/2253), of which 43.82% were boys and 46.92% were girls, with no statistically significant difference in the prevalence rate of myopia between boys and girls ( 2 = 2.171, p = 0.141). The results of the linear trend test showed that the prevalence rate of pre-myopia tends to decrease with increasing age (Z = 296.521, p = 0.000). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the main risk factors for pre-myopia were having at least one parent with myopia, spending less than 2 h a day outdoors, using the eyes continuously for more than 1 hour, looking at electronic screens for more than 2 h, and having an improper reading and writing posture. Conclusion The Science City Area has a high prevalence rate of pre-myopia among primary school students. It is proposed that students, schools, families, and local authorities work together to increase the time spent outdoors, reduce digital screens and develop scientific use of eye habits. Full article

Background: Early-onset myopia increases the risk of irreversible high myopia. Methods: This study systematically evaluated the efficacy and safety of low-dose atropine for myopia control in children with premyopia through meta-analysis using random-effects models. Effect sizes were calculated using risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Comprehensive searches of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov were conducted until 20 December 2023, without language restrictions. Results: Four studies involving 644 children with premyopia aged 4–12 years were identified, with atropine concentrations ranging from 0.01% to 0.05%. The analysis focused on myopia incidence and atropine-related adverse events. Lower myopia incidence (RR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.40–0.97 D/y; p = 0.03) and reduction in rapid myopia shift (≥0.5 D/1y) (RR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.26–0.96 D/y; p < 0.01) were observed in the 12–24-month period. Spherical equivalent and axial length exhibited attenuated progression in the atropine group. No major adverse events were detected in either group, whereas the incidence of photophobia and allergic conjunctivitis did not vary in the 12–24-month period. Conclusions: Our meta-analysis supports atropine’s efficacy and safety for delaying myopia incidence and controlling progression in children with premyopia. However, further investigation is warranted due to limited studies. Full article