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Guidelines for preventing and slowing myopia progression in Brazilian children
Fábio Ejzenbaum1, Tania Mara Cunha Schaefer2, Celso Cunha3
1Department of Ophthalmology, Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Insights
This guideline offers recommendations for myopia control in children, emphasizing regular monitoring and various treatment options like atropine and specialized lenses to manage progression. Early detection and sustained intervention are key for effective myopia management.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Optometry
Background:
- Myopia control is a growing concern in pediatric eye care.
- Expert consensus is needed to standardize management strategies.
- Existing literature and clinical experience form the basis for current recommendations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide comprehensive guidelines for myopia control in children.
- To define criteria for myopic progression.
- To outline recommended diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
Main Methods:
- Compilation of medical literature.
- Consensus from an expert committee (Brazilian Society of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Brazilian Society of Contact Lenses and Cornea).
- Recommendations include corneal topography, cycloplegic refraction, and optical biometry.
Main Results:
- Myopic progression defined as >0.50 D/year or >0.3 mm axial length increase (≤10 yrs) / >0.2 mm (≥11 yrs).
- Recommended treatments: environmental control, low-concentration atropine, defocus glasses, contact lenses, Ortho-K lenses.
- Combination therapies may be needed for uncontrolled cases; treatment duration of at least 2 years.
Conclusions:
- The guidelines provide a framework for diagnosing, treating, and monitoring pediatric myopia.
- Regular monitoring with specific diagnostic tools is crucial.
- A multi-faceted approach to treatment is recommended for effective myopia control.
Abstract:
This document on myopia control is derived from a compilation of medical literature and the collective clinical expertise of an expert committee comprising members from the Brazilian Society of Pediatric Ophthalmology and the Brazilian Society of Contact Lenses and Cornea. To manage myopia in children, the committee recommends corneal topography and biannual visits with cycloplegic refraction, along with annual optical biometry. For fast-progressing myopia, biannual biometry should be considered. Myopic progression is defined as an annual increase in spherical equivalent greater than 0.50 D/year or in axial length greater than 0.3 mm (until 10 years old) or 0.2 mm (above 11 years). The proposed treatments for myopia progression include environmental control, low concentration atropine, defocus glasses, contact lenses, or Ortho-K lenses, and combinations of these methods may be necessary for uncontrolled cases. Treatment should be sustained for at least 2 years. This document serves as a comprehensive guideline for diagnosing, treating, and monitoring pre-myopic and myopic children in Brazil.
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