Clinical management of progressive myopia

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Optometry
• Public Health

Background:

• Myopia (nearsightedness) prevalence is increasing globally, exceeding 90% in some East Asian populations.
• Both genetic factors and environmental visual stimuli influence myopia onset, progression, and cessation.
• Research is actively exploring environmental modifications and optical interventions to manage myopia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current promising treatments for myopia progression control.
• To categorize these treatments based on their expected efficacy.
• To propose a clinical strategy for selecting optimal myopia management.

Main Methods:

• Review of current myopia control strategies.
• Categorization of treatments by expected myopia progression control.
• Development of a patient-centered clinical strategy for treatment selection.

Main Results:

• Identified low-percentage atropine, bifocal soft contact lenses, orthokeratology, and multifocal spectacles as promising treatments.
• Grouped treatments by their anticipated effectiveness in controlling myopia progression.
• Presented a framework for clinical decision-making in myopia management.

Conclusions:

• Effective myopia control requires considering patient-specific factors and refractive development stage.
• A strategic approach to treatment selection can maximize myopia progression control.
• Continued research into environmental influences and optical interventions is crucial for combating the myopia epidemic.