An evidence-based update on myopia and interventions to retard its progression

Abstract

Myopia is the most common human eye disorder. With its increasing prevalence and earlier age-of-onset in recent birth cohorts, myopia now affects almost 33% of adults in the United States, and epidemic proportions of 85% to 90% adults in Asian cities. Unlike children in Western populations, where the prevalence of myopia is very low (less than 5%), Asian children have prevalences as high as 29% in 7-year-olds. In addition to the direct economic and social burdens of myopia, associated ocular complications may lead to substantial vision loss. This workshop summarizes the current literature regarding myopia epidemiology, genetics, animal model studies, risk factors, and clinical treatments. Published treatment strategies to retard the progression of myopia in children, such as pharmacologic agents, progressive addition lenses, and neural adaptation programs, are outlined.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report.

Copyright © 2011 American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. All rights reserved.

Figures

FIG 1

Forest-plot of randomized clinical trials of interventions to retard the progression of myopia: weighted mean difference (95% CI). A, Atropine eyedrops versus control; B, Pirenzepine 2% gel versus control; C, Bifocals versus single-vision lenses; D, Progressive additional lenses versus single-vision lenses; E, Contact lenses versus single-vision lenses; F, RGP versus soft contact lenses.

FIG 2

Summary of forest plots of randomized clinical trials to retard myopia progression.