Long-term refractive outcomes in children with early diagnosis of moderate to high hyperopia

The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term outcome of moderate-to-high hyperopic refractive errors in childhood.

We reviewed medical records from children diagnosed with hyperopia (≥3D) in the amblyogenic risk factors screening that is performed in a public hospital in Portugal. We included hyperopic children diagnosed between 2001 and 2011 with at least three available ophthalmologic evaluations (including one before the age of 3 years and one after a minimum period of 6 years after the first evaluation). Spherical equivalent (SE) was considered.

In total, 78 eyes from 39 children met the inclusion criteria (49% male). Mean age at first and last evaluation was 1.8 ± 0.9 years and 10.6 ± 2.7 years, respectively. Median follow-up was 130 months (range 72-193). At baseline evaluation, the mean SE was 4.5 ± 1.4 diopters, 36% of children had a SE ≥5.0 diopters, 23% had partially accommodative esotropia, 26% had accommodative esotropia and 51% had no eye deviation. At the last evaluation, the mean SE was 4.6 ± 1.7diopters. During follow-up, four children developed unilateral amblyopia (one because of anisometropia, three because of anisometropia and strabismus). From these, three recovered with treatment. Until the age of 10 years, the number of children that presented with strabismus did not decrease.

In our study, children with moderate to high hyperopia did not experience a significant reduction in the power of the refractive error. Although almost 50% of children had an initial deviation, only one had amblyopia at the end of follow-up. Implementing screening strategies for the early detection of this refractive error may prevent long-term vision morbidity in hyperopic children.