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Published on: April 3, 2016

Early-life exposure to antibiotics increases the risk of myopia: A retrospective cohort study

Peng-Tai Tien1,2, Chang-Ching Wei3,4, Sheng-Chun Lin5

  • 1Eye Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40447, Taiwan.

Biomedicine
|July 22, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Early childhood antibiotic use increases myopia risk in children. This study highlights the need for careful antibiotic prescribing to protect long-term vision and prevent myopia progression.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Microbiology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Myopia prevalence is rising globally, with environmental factors playing a key role.
  • Early-life antibiotic exposure can alter gut microbiota, potentially impacting ocular health.
  • Infant and early childhood antibiotic use is common and may influence myopia development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between early-life antibiotic exposure and the incidence of myopia in young children.
  • To quantify the risk of myopia associated with systemic antibiotic use in children aged three years or younger.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study using a national health insurance database.
  • Matched antibiotic-exposed children (≤3 years old) with non-exposed controls.
  • Cox proportional hazards regression models to estimate myopia risk (aHRs).

Main Results:

  • Early-life antibiotic exposure significantly increased myopia risk (aHR = 1.03; 95% CI: 1.02-1.04).
  • Higher cumulative incidence of myopia observed in antibiotic-exposed children (p < 0.001).
  • Increased risk persisted regardless of treatment duration or cumulative dose.

Conclusions:

  • Early-life antibiotic exposure is linked to a higher incidence of myopia in children.
  • Judicious antibiotic prescribing in early childhood is crucial to mitigate potential ocular health risks.
  • Findings emphasize the importance of considering long-term consequences of antibiotic use on vision development.
Keywords:
Antibiotic exposureDysbiosisEarly-life exposureGut microbiomeMyopiaPediatric ophthalmology

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