Relationship between higher-order aberrations and myopia progression in schoolchildren: a retrospective study

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Optometry
• Pediatric Vision

Background:

• Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a growing public health concern, particularly in school-aged children.
• Understanding the factors contributing to myopia progression is crucial for developing effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between higher-order aberrations (HOA) and the rate of myopia progression in schoolchildren.
• To compare HOA parameters between children with fast and slow myopia progression.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study analyzed 148 eyes of 74 schoolchildren.
• Higher-order aberrations (HOA) were measured using an aberrometer for a 6-mm pupil.
• Myopic progression rate was calculated, and subjects were categorized into 'fast' (≥0.50D/year) and 'slow' (<0.50D/year) groups.

Main Results:

• The 'fast' progression group exhibited significantly higher root mean square (RMS) values for HOA, HOA without Z4(0), third-order aberrations, and coma compared to the 'slow' group.
• Specific Zernike coefficients (Z3(-1) and Z5(1)) also showed significant differences between the groups.
• Significant positive correlations were observed between various HOA metrics (RMS HOA, RMS HOA without Z4(0), RMS coma, RMS third-order aberrations) and the rate of myopic progression.

Conclusions:

• The study provides evidence supporting a relationship between higher-order aberrations (HOA) and myopia progression in children.
• Further prospective longitudinal studies are warranted to determine if HOA is a causal risk factor for myopia progression.