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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
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Binocular Dynamic Visual Acuity in Eyeglass-Corrected Myopic Patients
Published on: March 29, 2022
Association between retinal steepness and central myopic shift in children
1Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Salus University, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, and Vision CRC, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. gschmid@salus.edu
Summary
Children with steeper temporal retinas experienced greater myopic shift, suggesting eye shape influences refractive development. This finding may aid in predicting myopia progression.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric eye care
- Refractive error development
Background:
- Peripheral refraction influences central refractive development.
- Retinal steepness at the posterior pole is linked to peripheral refraction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between retinal steepness and central myopic shift in children.
- To determine if eye shape influences myopia progression in pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- Measured central sphere equivalent refraction (CSER) in 140 children (7-11 years) over ~30 months.
- Estimated retinal steepness using relative peripheral eye length (RPEL) via optical low coherence interferometry.
- Analyzed the association between baseline RPEL and central refractive shift using Structural Equation Modeling.
Main Results:
- A weak but significant correlation (r=0.207, p=0.049) was found between temporal retinal steepness (RPEL) and myopic shift in CSER.
- Steeper retinas were associated with greater myopic shifts.
- Myopic shift correlated with axial elongation but not baseline refraction.
Conclusions:
- Temporal retinal steepness is associated with central myopic shift in children, independent of baseline refraction.
- Eye shape at the posterior pole may influence visually guided axial eye growth, potentially via peripheral defocus.
- Further research is needed to explore the predictive value and temporal specificity of this finding.