Turkish children myopia progression in the urban area, a retrospective evaluation

Abstract

Aims: To investigate myopia trends and progression in urban school-aged myopic children in Turkey.
 Methods: This retrospective study included myopic children aged 6-18 years attending the ophthalmology clinic for regular eye and refractive examinations between 2003 and 2021. Myopia progression was calculated as the difference between the baseline and the last visit spherical equivalent refractive (SER) values. Individuals were further categorized to determine the age-specific myopia progression as 6-11, 12-16, and 17-18 age groups based on the school periods of the country. According to the SER values, individuals were classified into mild, moderate, and high myopic groups. 
 Results: A total of 602 eyes of 301 children (191 female, 110 male) with a mean age of 11.64±2.81 (6-18) years were included in the study. The mean follow-up time of patients was 37.51±19.18 (6-98) months. The baseline mean SER value was -1.5±1.07 D (range: -0.50 and -5.62) and -2.55±1.50 at the final visit. The overall mean myopia progression was -0.35±0.37 D (range: +0.35 D and -3.75 D/year. There were 46 children between 6-11 years, 173 children between 12-16 years, 82 children between 17-18 years, and the annual SER changes were -0.46±0.40 D; -0.37±0.39 D and -0.26±0.29 D in the groups, respectively (p < 0.001). Baseline, final, and annual myopia progression were greater in females. Although there was no statistical significance, myopia progression was faster in moderate myopes (-0.39±0.33 D/a year), followed by mild (-0.35±0.37 D/a year) and high myopes (-0.21±0.20 D/a year) (p=0.37).
 Conclusion: The progression of myopia in school-aged Turkish children from the Western Black Sea Region is comparable to the world. Our study revealed the greater myopia progression in the youngest children, moderate myopia group, and females. Myopia prevention recommendations should be carefully advised to the youngest female ones to reduce myopia progression.