Practical applications to modify and control the development of ametropia

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Developmental Biology
• Public Health

Background:

• Childhood myopia prevalence and severity are rising globally, posing a significant public health challenge.
• The developmental trend often shifts from hyperopia towards myopia during childhood.
• Addressing the increasing burden of myopia requires effective intervention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review human clinical trial outcomes for pharmaceutical, optical, and environmental myopia control methods.
• To highlight the need for interventions to slow myopia progression.
• To assess the safety and efficacy of different myopia control approaches.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of human clinical trials on myopia control.
• Analysis of pharmaceutical interventions for controlling eye growth.
• Evaluation of optical strategies inducing retinal myopic defocus.
• Assessment of environmental factors, such as outdoor activity, on myopia development.

Main Results:

• Pharmaceutical treatments effectively control eye growth but can have adverse side effects.
• Optical strategies like peripheral defocus lenses, bifocals, and orthokeratology show promise.
• Increased outdoor activity is a promising environmental factor for myopia control.
• Optical and environmental approaches offer a safer alternative for managing myopia progression.

Conclusions:

• Interventions targeting myopia development and progression are crucial to reduce the global burden of this refractive error.
• Optical and environmental strategies present a favorable risk-benefit profile for myopia control.
• Further research into safe and effective myopia control methods is warranted.