The Limited Value of Prior Change in Predicting Future Progression of Juvenile-onset Myopia

Patterns of Myopia Progression in European Adults

Objective

Data regarding the progression of myopia and new-onset myopia in young adults are lacking. This study aims to describe the natural history of myopia development and progression in adults using anonymized electronic medical records from Irish optometric practices.

Design

Longitudinal study.

Subjects

Electronic medical record data were extracted from 40 Irish optometry practices with 18 620 (59.5% female) patients meeting the inclusion criteria.

Methods

Refractive error change was determined among patients with multiple eye examination visits during the period January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2022. Patients aged 18 to 39 years, inclusive, at baseline and attending >1 eye examination with an interval of ≥11 months between visits and that were myopic at the final visit were included in the analysis. Annualized myopia progression in diopter (D)/year was assessed using linear mixed models with age, sex, baseline spherical equivalent refraction, and previous myopic progression as fixed effect covariates. The proportion of patients with unstable myopia (progression worse than -0.25 D/year) was determined.

Main Outcome Measures

Proportion of adults across the age range 18 to 39 years with significant myopic progression.

Results

Significant myopia progression (progression <-0.25 D/year) was noted in 10.7% of all myopes. The proportion of myopes with significant progression was clearly related to age with 19.9% of myopes in the youngest age group experiencing progression compared with 6.8% in the oldest age group. Higher proportions of myopic progression were also observed in high myopes with 1 in 12 high myopes (8.0%) exhibiting persistent fast myopic progression as adults (worse than -0.50 D/year). Of patients with emmetropia or hyperopia at baseline in this clinic-based population, 28.5% and 0.8% became myopic during the follow-up period.

Conclusions

Although myopia has stabilized in most adults (>18 years of age), a sizeable proportion of younger adults and high myopes (of all ages) do progress at a clinically significant rate. Almost 3 times as many adults in youngest age group (18-24 years) experienced myopic progression when compared with the oldest age group (40-44 years). Consideration should therefore be given to exploring the efficacy and benefit of myopia management in this cohort of patients.

Financial Disclosures

The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

The limitations of centile curves for evaluating myopic eye growth

SIGNIFICANCE

Pediatric growth charts are widely used to track height and weight. Recently, axial length growth charts have been developed. Unfortunately, they underestimate the rate of normal myopic eye growth, making it challenging to evaluate the benefits of myopia control interventions, due to the conflation of myopes and nonmyopes.

PURPOSE

The aim is to assess the value of axial length centile curves in the management of childhood myopia.

METHODS

Papers reporting centile curves were identified by searching PubMed. For comparison, axial length values for a representative selection of baseline values (21 to 24 mm at 6 years) were calculated as a function of age and ethnicity using published meta-analyses of myopic and emmetropic eye growth data.

RESULTS

Six published centile curves, largely based on cross-sectional data, were identified: three from European populations, two from China, and one from India. The trajectory of the emmetropic eye growth model generally tracks the European and Indian centile curves at lower centiles. This is not the case for the Chinese centile curves, likely due to the significant numbers of myopic children even at lower centiles. In contrast, the trajectory of the myopic eye growth model is steeper than that of the centile curves, even at higher centiles. This suggests that the higher centiles contain substantial numbers of nonmyopic children. Only in the centile curves for Chinese children, who have a higher prevalence of myopia, do they approach myopic eye growth, and then only for older children and at higher centiles.

CONCLUSIONS

Centile curves do not accurately represent myopic eye growth, are not the best tool to monitor myopia progression and treatment, do not accurately represent growth in incident myopes, and are not the best way to predict myopia onset. Separate centile curves for myopic eyes do not alleviate the problem because of incident myopia. Annualized growth models may provide a better approach to assessing axial elongation relative to population norms.

Can we really distinguish 'responders' from 'non-responders' to myopia control interventions?

PURPOSE

It is common to hear talk of 'responders' and 'non-responders' with respect to myopia control interventions. We consider the reality of distinguishing these sub-groups using data from the first year of the Low-concentration Atropine for Myopia Progression (LAMP) study.

METHODS

The first year of the LAMP study was a robustly designed, placebo-controlled trial of three different low concentrations of atropine using a large sample size (N > 100 randomised to each group). The authors subsequently published mean axial elongation and myopia progression rates by age group. We used these data to calculate efficacy in terms of both absolute reduction in myopic progression and absolute reduction in axial elongation for each of the different atropine concentrations at each age group. We then compared these efficacy data to the overall progression for each of the two progression metrics.

RESULTS

Plotting efficacy as a function of overall myopia progression and axial elongation for each of the different atropine concentrations demonstrates the invariant nature of efficacy, in terms of clinically meaningful reduction in progression, despite a substantial range of underlying overall progression. That is, faster progressors-the so-called non-responders-achieved similar reduction in axial elongation and myopia progression as the slower progressors-the so-called responders-within the various atropine treatment groups.

CONCLUSION

The use of the terms, responders and non-responders, during myopia progression interventions is not supported by evidence. Those designated as such may simply be slower or faster progressors, who, on average achieve the same benefit from treatment.

2024 UK and Ireland modified Delphi consensus on myopia management in children and young people

INTRODUCTION

This work aimed to establish the largest UK and Ireland consensus on myopia management in children and young people (CYP).

METHODS

A modified Delphi consensus was conducted with a panel of 34 optometrists and ophthalmologists with expertise in myopia management.

RESULTS

Two rounds of voting took place and 131 statements were agreed, including that interventions should be discussed with parents/carers of all CYP who develop myopia before the age of 13 years, a recommendation for interventions to be publicly funded for those at risk of fast progression and high myopia, that intervention selection should take into account the CYP's hobbies and lifestyle and that additional training for eye care professionals should be available from non-commercial sources. Topics for which published evidence is limited or lacking were areas of weaker or no consensus. Modern myopia management contact and spectacles are suitable first-line treatments. The role and provision of low-concentration atropine needs to be reviewed once marketing authorisations and funding decisions are in place. There is some evidence that a combination of low-concentration atropine with an optical intervention can have an additive effect; further research is needed. Once an intervention is started, best practice is to monitor non-cycloplegic axial length 6 monthly.

CONCLUSION

Research is needed to identify those at risk of progression, the long-term effectiveness of individual and combined interventions, and when to discontinue treatment when myopia has stabilised. As further evidence continues to emerge, this consensus work will be repeated to ensure it remains relevant.

Baseline factors associated with myopia progression and axial elongation over 30 months in children 5 to 12 years of age

PURPOSE

This study aimed to identify baseline factors associated with greater myopia progression and axial elongation in children with myopia.

METHODS

This study performed a post hoc analysis of data from a 30-month randomized trial of atropine 0.01% versus placebo in children 5 to <13 years old with baseline spherical equivalent refractive error (SER) of -1.00 to -6.00 D, astigmatism of ≤1.50 D, and anisometropia of <1.00 D SER. Data from atropine 0.01% and placebo groups were pooled given outcomes were similar. Baseline factors of age, SER, axial length, race, sex, parental myopia, and iris color were evaluated for association with changes in SER and with changes in axial length at 30 months (24 months on treatment and then 6 months off) using backward model selection.

RESULTS

Among 187 randomized participants, 175 (94%) completed 30 months of follow-up. The mean change in SER was greater among younger children (-0.19 D per 1 year younger; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.25 to -0.14 D; p<0.001) and children with higher myopia (-0.14 D per 1 D more myopia at baseline; 95% CI, -0.23 to -0.05 D; p=0.002). The mean change in axial length was also greater among younger children (0.13 mm per 1 year younger; 95% CI, 0.10 to 0.15 mm; p<0.001) and children with higher baseline myopia (0.04 mm per 1 D more myopia; 95% CI, 0.002 to 0.08; p=0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Younger children with higher myopia had greater myopic progression and axial elongation over 30 months than older children with lower myopia. Developing effective treatments to slow the faster myopic progression in younger children should be a target of further research.

Suitability of multifunction devices Myah and Myopia Master for monitoring myopia progression in children and adults

PURPOSE

To assess the feasibility of using multifunction instruments to measure axial length for monitoring myopia progression in children and adults.

METHODS

Axial length was measured in 60 children (aged 6-18 years) and 60 adults (aged 19-50 years) with multifunction instruments (Myah and Myopia Master) and stand-alone biometers (Lenstar LS900 and IOLMaster 700). Repeatability (measurements by the same examiner) and reproducibility (measurements by different examiners) were computed as the within-subject standard deviation (Sw) and 95% limits of agreement (LoA). Inter-instrument agreement was computed as intraclass correlation coefficients. The threshold for detecting myopic progression was taken as 0.1 mm. Measures were repeated only in children following the administration of 1% tropicamide to determine the impact of cycloplegia on axial length.

RESULTS

Overall, the IOLMaster 700 had the best repeatability in children (0.014 mm) and adults (0.009 mm). Repeatability Sw values for all devices ranged from 0.005 to 0.021 mm (children) and 0.003 to 0.016 mm (adults). In children, reproducibility fell within 0.1 mm 95% of the time for the Myah, Myopia Master and IOLMaster 700. Agreement among all devices was classified as excellent (ICC 0.999; 95% CI 0.998-0.999), but the 95% LoA among the Myah, Myopia Master and Lenstar LS900 was ≥0.1 mm. Cycloplegia had no statistically significant effect on axial length (all p > 0.13).

CONCLUSIONS

The Myah and Myopia Master multifunction instruments demonstrated good repeatability and reproducibility, and their accuracy was comparable to stand-alone biometers. Axial length measurements using different instruments can be considered interchangeable but should be compared with some caution. Accurate axial length measurements can be obtained without cycloplegia. The multifunction instruments Myah and Myopia Master are as well suited for monitoring myopia progression in children as the stand-alone biometers IOLMaster 700 and Lenstar LS900.

Efficacy and safety of 0.01% atropine combined with orthokeratology lens in delaying juvenile myopia: An observational study

It aims to study the efficacy and safety of low-concentration Atropine combined with orthokeratology (OK) lens in delaying juvenile myopia. This is a prospective study, 172 adolescents aged 8 to 12 years who were admitted to the diopter department of Hengshui People Hospital from April 2021 to May 2022 were selected. According to the equivalent spherical diopter measured at the time of initial diagnosis, myopic patients were randomly divided into low myopia group (group A) and moderate myopia group (group B). At the same time, according to the different treatment methods, the patients were divided into the group wearing frame glasses alone (group c), the group wearing frame glasses with low-concentration Atropine (group d), the group wearing corneal shaping glasses alone at night (group e), and the group wearing corneal shaping glasses at night with low-concentration Atropine (group f). The control effect of myopia development and axial elongation in group f was better than that in groups d and e (P < .05). The effect of controlling myopia development and axial elongation in group f is with P > .05. The probability of postoperative adverse reactions in group f was lower and lower than that in the other groups. Low-concentration atropine combined with OK lens could effectively delay the development of juvenile myopia, and had a high safety. Low-concentration of Atropine would not have a significant impact on the basic tear secretion and tear film stability. Nightwear of OK lens also had no significant impact, but it would significantly reduce the tear film rupture time in the first 3 months, and at the same time, the tear film rupture time would be the same after 6 months as before treatment.

Myopia progression patterns among paediatric patients in a clinical setting

PURPOSE

This retrospective analysis of electronic medical record (EMR) data investigated the natural history of myopic progression in children from optometric practices in Ireland.

METHODS

The analysis was of myopic patients aged 7-17 with multiple visits and not prescribed myopia control treatment. Sex- and age-specific population centiles for annual myopic progression were derived by fitting a weighted cubic spline to empirical quantiles. These were compared to progression rates derived from control group data obtained from 17 randomised clinical trials (RCTs) for myopia. Linear mixed models (LMMs) were used to allow comparison of myopia progression rates against outputs from a predictive online calculator. Survival analysis was performed to determine the intervals at which a significant level of myopic progression was predicted to occur.

RESULTS

Myopia progression was highest in children aged 7 years (median: -0.67 D/year) and progressively slowed with increasing age (median: -0.18 D/year at age 17). Female sex (p < 0.001), a more myopic SER at baseline (p < 0.001) and younger age (p < 0.001) were all found to be predictive of faster myopic progression. Every RCT exhibited a mean progression higher than the median centile observed in the EMR data, while clinic-based studies more closely matched the median progression rates. The LMM predicted faster myopia progression for patients with higher baseline myopia levels, in keeping with previous studies, which was in contrast to an online calculator that predicted slower myopia progression for patients with higher baseline myopia. Survival analysis indicated that at a recall period of 12 months, myopia will have progressed in between 10% and 70% of children, depending upon age.

CONCLUSIONS

This study produced progression centiles of untreated myopic children, helping to define the natural history of untreated myopia. This will enable clinicians to better predict both refractive outcomes without treatment and monitor treatment efficacy, particularly in the absence of axial length data.

Talkin' 'bout my(opia) generation: The impact of Optometry and Vision Science

VIRTUAL ISSUE EDITORIAL

This editorial fronts the first virtual issue for Optometry & Vision Science. Virtual issues are a collection of papers from previously published issues of the journal that are brought together in a single, online publication. They highlight the important contribution the journal has made in supporting myopia research. All the papers referenced and previously published in Optometry & Vision Science will be made free access for 1-month. The collection can be accessed here: https://journals.lww.com/optvissci/pages/collectiondetails.aspx?TopicalCollectionId=16.

Juvenile-onset myopia-who to treat and how to evaluate success

The risk of eye diseases such as myopic macular degeneration increases with the level of myopia, but there is no safe level of myopia and the burden of lower degrees of myopia remains considerable. Effective treatments are available that slow progression and thus limit the final degree of myopia. In this review, the rationale for slowing progression is summarized, and a case made for treating all myopic children. Measurement of refractive error and axial length is reviewed, stressing the precision of optical biometry, but also the need for cycloplegic autorefraction. The factors influencing progression are considered and the available tools for interpretation of progression rate are discussed. Finally, the need to set attainable treatment goals is emphasized.

Comparison of the clinical effects between digital keratoplasty and traditional orthokeratology lenses for correcting juvenile myopia

BACKGROUND

Various methods exist to intervene with and control myopia, including bifocal lenses, multifocal lenses, pirenzepine, atropine, soft gas-permeable contact lenses and aberration control frame lenses, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the clinical effectiveness of digital keratoplasty lenses and traditional orthokeratology (OK) lenses in correcting juvenile myopia.

METHODS

Sixty-one patients (122 eyes) with an average age of 10.43 ± 1.71 years and with myopia were enrolled from January 2021 to January 2022 in the treatment centre of our hospital. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group I (the experimental group) consisted of 30 patients who were treated with digital corneal shaping (MCT) lenses, while group II (the control group) consisted of 31 patients who were treated with traditional OK lenses. Clinical indicators, such as visual acuity, ocular axis, intraocular pressure, degree of central positioning, naked visual acuity and first-order spotting, were statistically analysed before and after fitting.

RESULTS

The naked eye vision of patients using MCT lenses was significantly improved compared with patients who used traditional OK lenses (0.95 ± 0.28 > 0.58 ± 0.25; p< 0.05). Moreover, the risk of primary spot staining was reduced (p< 0.05), intraocular pressure was lower (p< 0.05) and the centre position reached 100% in patients wearing MCT lenses, suggesting that wearing MCT lenses may be more beneficial than wearing traditional OK lenses.

CONCLUSION

Compared with traditional OK lenses, MCT lenses reduce the degree of myopia, have significant effects and have the added advantages of safety and reliability.