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IOP in myopic children: the relationship between increases in IOP and the development of myopia
1Department of Optometry and Radiography, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong.
Insights
High intraocular pressure (IOP) develops after myopia onset in children, not before. This study indicates that increased IOP follows myopia development and does not cause it.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Myopia Research
Background:
- Myopia is a growing global health concern, particularly in children.
- The relationship between intraocular pressure (IOP) and myopia development remains unclear.
- Understanding this relationship is crucial for myopia management and prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the temporal relationship between intraocular pressure (IOP) and the onset of myopia in children.
- To determine if elevated IOP precedes or follows the development of myopia.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 106 Chinese children, aged 7 to 9 years.
- Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured annually.
- Children were categorized into incident myopia (developed myopia during the study) and control (remained non-myopic) groups.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in IOP was observed between groups at age 7.
- The incident myopia group showed a significant increase in IOP after myopia onset.
- The control group did not exhibit similar IOP changes over the same period.
Conclusions:
- Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a consequence, not a cause, of myopia onset in children.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms by which myopia may influence IOP.
Abstract:
Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured at yearly intervals, from age 7 to 9 years, in 106 Chinese children. The sample had been selected from newborn children for participation in a growth and nutrition study, and all children remaining in this study took part in the myopia study. As part of an ongoing prospective study to examine factors which may be associated with the development of myopia, IOP was compared according to whether the subjects had become myopic or remained non-myopic during the time-frame of the study. During the course of the study 13 children became myopic. There was no difference in the IOP of the incident compared with control groups at age 7 years. The IOP of the incident group was higher following onset of myopia than it was prior to onset whereas there was no difference in the IOP of the control groups over the same period. A high IOP therefore follows the onset of myopia and cannot cause myopia. It is still unknown whether or how myopia causes a high IOP.