Pre-Myopic Children: Trends in Myopia Development and Management in Canada.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Pediatric Optometry
• Public Health

Background:

• Myopia prevalence is increasing worldwide, necessitating early intervention strategies.
• Proactive management of pre-myopic children is crucial for preventing myopia progression.
• Understanding current optometric practices for pre-myopia is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze trends in myopia development among pediatric pre-myopic patients.
• To investigate how optometrists in Canada manage pre-myopic children.
• To identify effective interventions for delaying myopia onset in at-risk children.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective chart review of pre-myopic children aged 6-10 years (2017-2021).
• Inclusion criteria: presenting refraction between +0.75D and -0.25D.
• Data collected: demographics, refractive status, and interventions.

Main Results:

• 10.6% of 1740 pre-myopic patients developed myopia.
• No significant differences in baseline age or refractive error across cohort years.
• Accelerated loss of hyperopic reserve observed in 2020-2021 cohorts compared to 2017.
• Minimal use of lifestyle changes (3.5%) or spectacles/contact lenses (3.0%) for intervention.

Conclusions:

• Pre-myopic children in recent cohorts show faster progression of hyperopic reserve loss.
• Current optometric management rarely includes lifestyle modifications despite their known efficacy.
• Further research is needed on effective pre-myopia interventions to delay myopia onset.