Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 2, 2025
Inducement and Evaluation of a Murine Model of Experimental Myopia
Published on: January 22, 2019
Relative Myopic Defocus in the Superior Retina as an Indicator of Myopia Development in Children
Zhenghua Lin1,2, Xiaoyun Xi1, Longbo Wen1
1Aier School of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Insights
Peripheral myopic defocus in the superior retina may predict myopia progression in children. However, changes in peripheral refraction appear to be a result, not a cause, of myopia development.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Optometry
- Myopia Research
Background:
- Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a growing global health concern, particularly in children.
- Understanding the factors influencing myopia progression is crucial for developing effective interventions.
- The role of peripheral refraction in the development of central myopia remains an area of active investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential role of peripheral refractive error in the development and progression of myopia in children.
- To determine if peripheral refraction patterns can predict the onset or worsening of myopia.
Main Methods:
- A 2-year longitudinal study involving 214 children aged 8-15 years.
- Annual measurement of retinal refraction across a wide field of view (60° × 36°) using a custom aberrometer.
- Correlation analysis between baseline peripheral refraction and subsequent central myopic shift.
Main Results:
- Among initially emmetropic children, refraction distribution varied significantly across the retina.
- Relative myopia in the superior peripheral retina was significantly correlated with greater central myopic shifts.
- No significant differences in peripheral refraction were observed before and after the onset of myopia in initially emmetropic subjects.
Conclusions:
- Relative myopic defocus in the superior retina may serve as a predictive factor for central myopia progression.
- Peripheral refractive changes are more likely a consequence of myopia progression rather than a primary cause.
Purpose:
To investigate the role of peripheral refraction in children's myopization.
Methods:
This 2-year study included 214 children (8-15 years old). Refraction across the retina (field of view: 60° × 36°) was measured with a custom-made aberrometer every year. Three datasets were established: dataset 1, 214 subjects from baseline to the first-year visit; dataset 2, 152 subjects from baseline to the second-year visit; and dataset 3, 59 initial emmetropes from baseline to the second-year visit. The baseline refraction of different retina regions was correlated with the central myopic shift, and was compared among groups with different levels of myopic shift.
Results:
In datasets 1 and 2, the refraction distribution across the retina was significantly different among the subjects who were initially emmetropes but not among those who were initially hyperopic or myopic. Refraction in the central vertical retina, especially in the superior retina (r = -0.5, P < 0.001), was significantly correlated with the myopic shift for emmetropes in that subjects with more relative myopia in the superior retina manifested greater central myopic shifts. In dataset 3, 21 subjects remained emmetropic after 2 years, 15 subjects became myopic at the 1-year visit, and 23 subjects became myopic at the 2-year visit. No difference was found for the relative peripheral refraction in all of the peripheral regions between the stage prior to and after the onset of myopia.
Conclusions:
Relative myopic defocus in the superior retina could be a predictor of central myopia shift. Changes in relative peripheral refraction are more likely a consequence of myopia progression rather than a cause.
