Abstract
This study aims to identify the risk factors in peripheral retinal changes (PRC) associated with high myopes among children and adolescents. This is a cross-sectional study on children and adolescents diagnosed with high myopia. The subjects involved underwent a series of ocular examinations, including the dilated fundus examination for PRC and the swept-source optical coherence tomography for foveal retinal, choroidal and scleral thickness measurement. Then, the variables were compared among the eyes with high risk, low risk, and no PRC. Spearman correlation was applied to evaluate the relationship between the parameters and the extent of PRC. Logistic regression was performed to identify the potential risk factors. A total of 117 eyes from 117 subjects were recruited. The prevalence of PRC was 57.3% (67 eyes), while that of high-risk PRC was 22.2% (26 eyes). Significant differences were found in the mean subfoveal scleral thickness, spherical equivalent refraction, and axial length among the eyes with high-risk, low-risk, and no PRC (p < 0.01, p < 0.01, p = 0.048, respectively). Compared with spherical equivalent (r = 0.32, p < 0.01) and axial length (r = 0.18, p = 0.05), subfoveal scleral thickness exhibited higher correlation coefficient with PRC (r = - 0.38, p < 0.01). Subfoveal scleral thickness and spherical equivalent refraction were identified as the independent risk factors for PRC and high-risk PRC. It was demonstrated that there was a correlation between subfoveal scleral thickness and PRC. The eyes with thinner subfoveal scleral thickness carried a higher risk of PRC.
Highlights
At present, myopia is known as the most common refractive error worldwide [1]
A number of significant differences were observed in the mean subfoveal scleral thickness, spherical equivalent refraction, and axial length among the eyes with high-risk, low-risk, and no peripheral retinal changes (PRC) (p < 0.01, p < 0.01, p = 0.048, respectively)
Subfoveal scleral thickness and spherical equivalent refraction were identified as the independent risk factors for both PRC and high-risk PRC
Summary
Myopia is known as the most common refractive error worldwide [1]. It is estimated that the number of myopia will reach 4.8 billion by 2050, with nearly one billion being highly myopic [2]. High myopia is not limited to a refractive problem Instead, it carries an increased risk of chorioretinal leisions complications, including cataract, glaucoma, and chorioretinopathy. It carries an increased risk of chorioretinal leisions complications, including cataract, glaucoma, and chorioretinopathy In some cases, they may even occur to youngsters, for example, retinal detachment, which has a potential to cause sight impairment[3, 4]. Peripheral retinal changes (PRC) is referred to as a group of disorders occurring at the peripheral retina. It is commonly found in highly myopic eyes. It was once reported that as high as 61.7% of the adolescents with highly myopic eyes suffered PRC in Hong Kong[5]. This study aims to identify the risk factors in peripheral retinal changes (PRC) associated with high myopes among children and adolescents
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
