Change In Spherical Equivalent Research Articles

Impact of ophthalmic clinical service use in mitigating myopia onset and progression in preschool children: a retrospective cohort study.

Although school screenings identify children with vision problems and issue referrals for medical treatment at an ophthalmic hospital, the effectiveness of this approach remains unverified. To investigate the impact of ophthalmic clinical services on the onset and progression of myopia in preschool children identified with vision impairment. Using data from the Shanghai Child and Adolescent Large-scale Eye Study (SCALE), this retrospective cohort study evaluated the visual development of children from three districts-Jing'an, Minhang, and Pudong-which are representative of geographic diversity and economic disparity in Shanghai's 17 districts. Initially, in 2015, the study encompassed 14,572 children aged 4-6 years, of whom 5,917 needed a referral. Our cohort consisted of 5,511 children who had two or more vision screenings and complete personal information over the follow-up period from January 2015 to December 2020. We divided these children into two groups based on their initial spherical equivalent (SE): a High-risk group (SE > -0.5 D) and a Myopia group (SE ≤ -0.5 D). Within each of these groups, we further categorized children into Never, Tardily, and Timely groups based on their referral compliance to compare the differences in the occurrence and progression of myopia. Cox proportional models were applied to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for myopia incidence per person-years of follow-up in High-risk group. Generalized additive models(GAM) was used to calculating the progression for annual spherical equivalent changes in all children. Of the 5,511 preschool children (mean age, 5.25 years; 52.24% male) who received a referral recommendation, 1,327 (24.08%) sought clinical services at an ophthalmic hospital. After six years of follow-up, 65.53% of children developed myopia. The six-year cumulative incidence of myopia in the Never, Tardily, and Timely groups was 64.76%, 69.31%, and 57.14%, respectively. These percentages corresponded to hazard ratios (HRs) of 1.31 (95% CI, 1.10-1.55) for the Tardily group and 0.55 (95% CI, 0.33-0.93) for the Timely group, compared with the Never group. The HRs were adjusted for age, sex, and SE at study entry. Interestingly, the Timely group showed significantly less SE progression than the other groups (P < 0.001), and SE progression was higher in the High-risk group (-0.33 ± 0.37D/year) than in children with myopia (-0.08 ± 0.55D/year). Timely utilization of ophthalmic clinical services among children aged 4 to 6 years who fail school vision screenings can significantly reduce the incidence of myopia and slow SE progression.

Comparative Analysis of Corneal Higher-Order Aberrations after Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, Photorefractive Keratectomy, and Small Incision Lenticule Extraction with Correlations to Change in Myopic Q-Value and Spherical Equivalent with and without Astigmatism.

Background: This retrospective chart review compared the higher-order aberrations (HOAs) among photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), and small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) alongside changes in spherical equivalent (SEQ) and corneal shape (Q-value). Methods: Analyzing 371 myopic eyes, including 154 LASIK, 173 PRK, and 44 SMILE cases, Pentacam imaging was utilized pre-operatively and at one-year post-operative visits. Results: All procedures resulted in 100% of patients achieving an uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of 20/40 or better, with 87% of LASIK and PRK, and 91% of SMILE patients having 20/20 or better. Significant increases in HOAs were observed across all procedures (p < 0.05), correlating positively with SEQ and Q-value changes (LASIK (0.686, p < 0.05), followed by PRK (0.4503, p < 0.05), and SMILE (0.386, p < 0.05)). Vertical coma and spherical aberration (SA) were the primary factors for heightened aberration magnitude among the procedures (p < 0.05), with the largest contribution in SMILE, which is likely attributed to the centration at the corneal apex. Notably, PRK showed insignificant changes in vertical coma (-0.197 µm ± 0.0168 to -0.192 µm ± 0.0198, p = 0.78), with an increase in oblique trefoil (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings underscore differences in HOAs among PRK, LASIK, and SMILE, helping to guide clinicians.

The Impact of Vergence Dysfunction on Myopia Control in Children Wearing Defocus Spectacle Lenses.

To investigate the impact of vergence dysfunction on myopia progression in children with Defocus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) spectacle lenses. We retrospectively enrolled children prescribed DIMS spectacle lenses to slow myopic progression. Baseline vergence dysfunction was determined according to phoria at distance and near. Axial length (AL) measurement and cycloplegic subjective refraction were performed before fitting the lenses and at six-month and one-year follow-ups. The six-month and one-year AL and spherical equivalent (SE) change from baseline were calculated and compared in subgroups stratified with the type of vergence dysfunction. Two hundred and ninety-two myopic children were included. Significant AL elongation and SE progression were observed at six months and one year (P < 0.05 for all comparisons). Multiple regression demonstrated that AL elongation at six months (P < 0.001) and one year (P < 0.001) was negatively correlated with age, and SE progression at six months was associated with age (P = 0.002). The AL elongation at six months in children with convergence excess was significantly greater than in normal myopic subjects (P = 0.011) and subjects with convergence insufficiency (P = 0.008), divergence excess (P = 0.007), divergence insufficiency (P = 0.024) and basic esophoria (P = 0.048) at six months. The present research demonstrated that vergence dysfunction influences myopia progression for myopic children with DIMS, and the children with convergence excess suffer from the greatest myopia progression among different types of vergence dysfunction.

Effects of atropine eyedrops at ten different concentrations for myopia control in children: A systematic review on meta-analysis.

To estimate the effect of atropine eyedrops at different concentrations for myopia control in children. We conducted a Bayesian random-effects network meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials (RCT). Primary outcomes include changes in spherical equivalent error (SER) and changes in axial length (AL), mean difference (MD) together with 95% credible interval (CrI) were used to evaluate the efficacy. 28 RCTs (6608 children) were included in this review. Comparing ten atropine eyedrops (0.0025%, 0.005%, 0.01%, 0.02%, 0.025%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.25%, 0.5% and 1% concentrations) with the placebo, the MDs and 95%CrIs of changes in SER are -0.006 (-0.269, 0.256) D, 0.216 (-0.078, 0.508) D, 0.146 (0.094, 0.199) D, 0.167 (0.039, 0.297) D, 0.201 (0.064, 0.341) D, 0.344 (0.251, 0.440) D, 0.255 (0.114, 0.396) D, 0.296 (0.140, 0.452) D, 0.331 (0.215, 0.447) D, and 0.286 (0.195, 0.337) D, respectively. The MDs and 95%CrIs of changes in AL are -0.048 (-0.182, 0.085) mm, -0.078 (-0.222, 0.066) mm, -0.095 (-0.130, -0.060) mm, -0.096 (-0.183, -0.009) mm, -0.083 (-0.164, -0.004) mm, -0.114 (-0.176, -0.056) mm, -0.134 (-0.198, -0.032) mm, -0.174 (-0.315, -0.061) mm, -0.184 (-0.291, -0.073) mm, and -0.171 (-0.203, -0.097) mm, respectively.Whether evaluated by SER or AL, 1% concentration ranks first in efficacy, but the risk of photophobia is 17 times higher than 0.01% concentration. 0.01% or higher concentration atropine eyedrops are effective for myopia control, while 0.0025% and 0.005% concentrations may not. As the concentration increases, the effect tends to increase, 1% concentration may have the strongest effect.

Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Myopia Progression in Pediatric Patients Treated with Atropine Eyedrops

Purpose: We investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on myopia progression in pediatric patients who received low-dose atropine (0.01%) eye drops.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of pediatric patients who received ≥ 12 months of low-dose atropine (atropine sulfate 0.01%) eye drops for myopia. The beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic was defined as February 2020. Patients were divided into two groups for comparative analysis. Patients in group A received low-dose atropine for ≥ 12 months between July 2013 and January 2020, whereas patients in group B received low-dose atropine between February 2020 and July 2021; atropine eye drops were administered once daily. The spherical equivalent and axial length of the right eye were measured at the initiation of treatment and after 12 months.Results: Among the 72 patients, 34 in group A received low-dose atropine before the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas 38 in group B received low-dose atropine after the COVID-19 pandemic. After 12 months of treatment with low-dose atropine eye drops, the changes in spherical equivalent were -0.58 ± 0.47 diopters (D) in group A and -0.84 ± 0.56 D in group B (p = 0.045). Moreover, the changes in axial length were 0.30 ± 0.23 mm in group A and 0.50 ± 0.31 mm in group B (p = 0.011).Conclusions: The efficacy of low-dose atropine eye drops in pediatric myopia patients has decreased since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Toric Intraocular Lens versus Peripheral Corneal Relaxing Incisions for Astigmatism between 0.75 and 2.5 Diopters: 5-Years Outcomes

Purpose To compare 5-year outcomes of toric intraocular lens (tIOL) or peripheral corneal relaxing incision (PCRI) for correction of keratometric astigmatism (KA) between 0.75 and 2.5 diopters (D). Methods Setting: University Hospital. Design: Randomized clinical trial. Eighty eyes (80 participants) received either tIOL or PCRI. Patients were assessed preoperatively, 1-month, 1, and 5 years. Primary outcomes were uncorrected (UDVA) and best-corrected distance logMAR visual acuity (CDVA). Secondary outcomes were a manifest refractive sphere, refractive astigmatism (Ra), spherical equivalent (SEQ), KA & mean keratometry (KM), and Quality-of-Life Impact of Refractive Correction (QIRC) scores. Results There was no difference between the two groups in UDVA, CDVA, refractive sphere, KM, RA, and SEQ. KA reduced after 1 month in the PCRI group and remained stable until 5 years. From 1 to 5 years, the number of eyes with distance emmetropia (within ±0.13D) changed from 59% (20/34 eyes) to 32% (6/19 eyes) for tIOLs and from 43% (15/36 eyes) to 20% (4/21 eyes) for PCRIs with 32% (6/19 eyes) and 20% (4/21 eyes) showing >0.5D change in SEQ at 5-years respectively. Compared to 1-year, Ra significantly increased at 5 years in both groups with no difference between the groups. Mean overall QIRC scores were not different between the groups (tIOL: 49.88 ± 7.47; PCRI: 52.09 ± 7.02; p = .18). Conclusions Although there was no difference between the overall visual and vision-related quality of life outcomes between tIOLs and PCRIs, an increase in refractive astigmatism and reduction in distance emmetropia with time was noted in both groups.

Longitudinal Changes in Axial Length and Spherical Equivalent in Children and Adolescents With High Myopia.

To investigate longitudinal changes in axial length (AL) and spherical equivalent (SE) in children and adolescents with high myopia and to explore associated risk factors. This was a longitudinal, observational cohort study of highly myopic participants (aged 7-17 years) to evaluate the mean rates of change in AL and SE. Mixed effects regression models were used to explore the risk factors. The sample consisted of 293 participants (mean age at the baseline, 13.63 ± 2.66 years; mean AL, 27.03 ± 1.30mm diopters; mean SE, -8.99 ± 2.30 diopters) who were followed for 7.09 ± 1.64 years. Pathological myopia (PM) was present in 11.95% of the participants at the baseline. Over the follow-up period, the mean AL and SE progression rates were 0.13mm/y (95% CI, 0.12-0.14) and -0.36 diopters/y (95% CI, -0.39 to -0.34). The multivariate analysis showed that the AL elongation and myopic SE progression decreased significantly after age 11 (β = -0.080, P < 0.001; β = 0.146, P < 0.001), increased with a greater baseline SE (β = -0.006, P = 0.014; β = 0.017, P = 0.005), and accelerated in children and adolescents who had PM at the baseline (β = 0.043, P = 0.011; β = -0.097, P = 0.025). A significant association was found between acceleration of AL elongation and myopic SE progression among the children and adolescents with age, especially those younger than 11 years, and the presence of PM.

Effect of Low-Concentration Atropine Eye Drops in Controlling the Progression of Myopia in Children: A One- and Two-Year Follow-Up Study

ABSTRACT Purpose Atropine eye drops have been shown to slow the progression of myopia, but there has been limited research on the effectiveness of 0.05% atropine in treating myopia. This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of 0.05% atropine eye drops in controlling myopia in children. Methods The study included 424 participants aged 6 to 12 years between January 1, 2015, and January 1, 2021. Of these, 213 were randomly assigned to the 0.05% atropine group and 211 to the placebo group. The cycloplegic spherical equivalent (SE), axial length (AL), corneal curvature (K), and anterior chamber depth (ACD) were measured using IOLMaster. The lens power and corneal astigmatism were also determined. The changes in ocular biometric parameters were compared between the two groups, and the contributions of ocular characteristics to SE progression were calculated and compared. Results Over a 12-month period, the changes in spherical equivalent were −0.03 ± 0.28 and −0.32 ± 0.14 in the atropine and placebo groups, respectively (P = .01). The changes in axial length were 0.06 ± 0.11 and 0.17 ± 0.12, respectively (P = .01). At 18 and 24 months, there were significant differences in axial length and spherical equivalent between the atropine and placebo groups. Multiple regression models accounting for changes in AL, K, and lens magnification explained 87.23% and 98.32% of SE changes in the atropine and placebo groups, respectively. At 1 year (p = .01) and 2 years (p = .03), there were significant differences in photophobia between the atropine and placebo groups. Conclusions This two-year follow-up study demonstrates that 0.05% atropine eye drops are safe and effective in preventing the development of myopia in school-aged children.

Comparison of Myopia Progression among Myopic Children with Intermittent Exotropia and No Strabismus.

Myopia is a highly prevalent condition in the pediatric population that is commonly comorbid with intermittent exotropia. Our study found a trend toward significance in the reduction of myopia progression with strabismus correction surgery. Further investigations characterizing the interaction between myopia and strabismus may help inform future management guidelines. This study describes and compares myopic progression in the pediatric population with and without intermittent exotropia and its interaction with corrective strabismus surgery. This study analyzed a retrospective cohort of 1239 pediatric myopic patients who were evaluated by pediatric ophthalmologists and optometrists at a tertiary care center from 2012 to 2020. The main outcome measures were the trends in refractive error over time in those with and without intermittent exotropia as well as trends in those who did and did not undergo strabismus surgery. A total of 275 patients (22%) were identified to have intermittent exotropia, and 12 (4.4%) from this group underwent surgical correction in the study period. No statistically significant difference was identified in myopic progression between those with intermittent exotropia and those without strabismus, and no difference was found in mean annual spherical equivalent change between intermittent exotropia patients who did not undergo surgery compared with those who did. Pediatric myopic patients generally experience progression in the condition for several years independent of concurrent intermittent exotropia. Corrective strabismus surgery was not found to alter the natural history of myopia in children, although a reduction in myopic progression in surgically treated patients trended toward significance. Increases in the prevalence of different treatment strategies will necessitate further studies to determine best practices for this population.

Congenital ptosis repair in children: comparison of frontalis muscle suspension surgery and levator muscle surgery.

Comparing the surgical and refractive outcomes of congenital ptosis repair by different surgical techniques. This longitudinal cohort study reviewed medical records of 101 patients who underwent congenital ptosis repair, from 2006 to 2022 in a single center. Analysis was performed for demographic background, co-morbidities, pre-operative and post-operative ocular examinations and refraction, complications, reoperations, and success rates. Following exclusion criteria, we remained with 80 patients (103 eyes) who underwent either frontalis muscle suspension surgery (FMS) (55 eyes) or levator muscle surgery (LM) (48 eyes). Patients in the FMS group were younger (mean age of 3.1 vs. 6.0years, p < 0.001) and had worse pre-operative ocular assessments including prevalence of visual axis involvement, chin-up head position, ptosis severity, and levator muscle function (LF) (p < 0.001). Both groups had a 25% rate of reoperation, however while in the LM group reoperation was required solely due to undercorrection, in the FMS group various indications prompted reoperation. Success rate was higher in the FMS group (87.3% vs. 60.4%, p = 0.002). While pre-operative astigmatism was higher in the LM group (p = 0.019), no significant differences were observed post-operatively. Spherical and spherical equivalent changes over time were significant only in the FMS group (p = 0.010 and p = 0.004, respectively). Within our cohort, a higher success rate of congenital ptosis repair was observed among patients who underwent FMS compared to LM, despite similar reoperation rates. In cases of severe ptosis and moderate LF, LM demonstrated a lower-than-anticipated success rate. Astigmatic changes following ptosis repair were not consistent in either group.

Myopia progression in children before and after the coronavirus disease lockdown

Background: The worldwide spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020, followed by lockdowns, forced children to be in home confinement with increased screen time, leading to rapid progression of myopia and an increase in the prevalence of myopia. This study was aimed at determining if myopia progression seen in evidence-based practice resulted from the COVID-19 lockdown or delayed follow-ups.&#x0D; Methods: A retrospective review of case sheets of patients visiting the pediatric department of a tertiary care eye hospital in Mumbai, India, was conducted from 2017 onwards. We enrolled all children with myopia who had attended at least one follow-up visit before the COVID-19 lockdown and at least one follow-up visit post-lockdown. The spherical equivalent (SEQ) of refractive error values at baseline and pre- and post-COVID-19 lockdown follow-ups (hereinafter referred to as the “first” and “second” follow-ups, respectively) were recorded. The duration between baseline and the first follow-up visit and between the first and second follow-up visits were noted.&#x0D; Results: We enrolled 112 eyes of 56 children, including 35 (62.5%) boys and 21 (37.5%) girls, with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of 9.54 (2.82) years. The mean (SD) SEQ values at baseline and first and second follow-ups were - 4.74 (3.83), - 5.46 (3.81), and - 6.42 (3.66) D, respectively. The mean change in SEQ, mean SEQ myopia progression, and rate of myopia progression per month differed significantly between the baseline and the first follow-up visit versus between the first and second follow-ups (all P &lt; 0.05). However, the change in myopia degree did not differ significantly between these two periods in eyes with low, moderate, or high myopia (all P &gt; 0.05). The mean (SD) duration between the baseline and the first follow-up visit was 14.57 (5.68) months, while that between the first and second follow-ups was 27.96 (9.18) months, showing a significant difference (P &lt; 0.05).&#x0D; Conclusions: Our findings suggest that a longer gap between follow-up visits and myopia progression per month should be factored into the management of myopia. Considering that young children are more vulnerable, preventive measures and school reforms should be urgently implemented in India. Further retrospective multicenter studies with a larger sample size of eyes, including various refractive errors over a longer period, are required to verify these findings.

Low Dose Atropine in Preventing the Progression of Childhood Myopia: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Purpose To study the efficacy of low dose atropine (0.01%) eye drops in preventing myopia progression in children by comparing the mean change in spherical equivalent (diopter) and axial length (mm) over a period of one year to a control group and study its effect on near vision, pupil size, keratometry and pachymetry. Methods 200 eyes of 100 myopic children were randomized into two groups based on a computer-generated random number table. The treatment group was administered 0.01% atropine eye drop once at bedtime and control group was administered a placebo. The follow up was done 3-monthly for 12 months by assessing the mean change in spherical equivalent and mean change in axial length. Other parameters like near vision, pupil size, keratometry and pachymetry were assessed at each follow up. Result The study was age and sex matched. The mean change in spherical equivalent refraction and axial length was significantly lower in the treatment group (0.31 ± 0.55 D; 0.11 ± 0.22 mm) than the placebo group (0.80 ± 1.65 D; 0.23 ± 0.44 D) (p-value: 0.003). Less steepening of the corneal curvature was observed in the treatment group (0.16 ± 0.28 D vs 0.29 ± 0.3 D; p < 0.001) and the mean change in pachymetry was comparable between the groups (0.00 ± 0.01) (p-value 0.489). No significant change was seen in near vision (96% of the eyes with atropine had no change in near vision; 2% of the eyes had a change of near vision by one line (p-value 0.500); 2% had a change by 3 lines (p-value: 0.07) or pupil size following treatment. Conclusion The use of 0.01% atropine eye drop reduced the progression of myopia over the study period of one year with no significant changes in near vision, pupil size. No patient reported any systemic and local side effects with administration of 0.01% atropine eye drop.

Predictive models for IOPs measured with NCT, GAT, and ORA among patients undergoing SMILE.

Purpose: To develop predictive models for the intraocular pressure (IOP) of patients undergoing small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) procedures, measured with a noncontact tonometer (NCT), Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT), and an ocular response analyzer (ORA). Methods: In this prospective study, a total of 104 eyes (-6.23 ± 2.06 diopters) of 52 patients (24.38 ± 4.76years) undergoing SMILE procedures were included. The intraocular pressure was measured (IOPNCT with NCT, IOPGAT with GAT, and IOPcc and IOPg with ORA) before surgery and at postoperative 6months. Information on age, preoperative and attempted spherical equivalent (SE), ablation depth, preoperative values and postoperative changes in central corneal thickness (CCT), K1, K2, Km, corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) values was collected in order to predict IOPs. Results: All surgeries were uneventful. At postoperative 6months, the efficacy and safety index were 1.04 ± 0.15 and 1.08 ± 0.18, respectively. Significant decreases were detected in postoperative IOPNCT, IOPGAT, IOPcc, and IOPg compared to preoperative values (all p < 0.001). No relationship was found between any IOP and ablation depth, attempted SE, and preoperative SE, as well as CCTdifference (all p > 0.05). Predictive models for IOPs were constructed to predict preoperative values, and R 2 values were 67.5% (IOPNCT), 64.5% (IOPGAT), 78.7% (IOPcc), and 82.0% (IOPg). The prediction band of IOPNCT and IOPGAT was 7.4-15.1mmHg and 8-16mmHg, respectively. Conclusion: Predictive models for IOP measurements after SMILE procedures can be helpful in clinical practice.

Long-Term Results of Laser In Situ Keratomileusis in Myopic Patients with Topographic Indices outside Suggested Ranges.

To investigate the long-term results of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in patients with one or more topographic indices outside the suggested range preoperatively. Patients who had conventional or femtosecond laser-assisted LASIK for myopia correction between 2011 and 2015, and had at least one preoperative corneal topographic index outside the suggested range were contacted for a follow-up examination. Ranges were based on the cutoffs suggested for subclinical keratoconus: thinnest pachymetry (TP) < 497.50µm, maximum keratometry (Kmax) > 47.20D, maximum 8mm best-fit-sphere anterior elevation (MaxAE) > 9.50µm, maximum 8mm best-fit-sphere posterior elevation (MaxPE) > 20.50µm, and Belin/Ambrósio enhanced ectasia display-total deviation (BAD-D) > 1.60. Two hundred thirty patients (377 eyes) were enrolled; their mean age at baseline and at follow-up was 30.78 ± 8.16 and 9.06 ± 1.91years, respectively. Mean ± SD was 484.36 ± 11.49 for TP (n = 133), 48.17 ± 0.83 for Kmax (n = 133), 16.33 ± 5.39 for MaxAE (n = 35), 27.87 ± 7.86 for MaxPE (n = 34), and 1.97 ± 0.36 for BAD-D (n = 162). Post-LASIK and suspected ectasia was found in one (0.26%) and two (0.53%) eyes, respectively. In the remaining 374, the efficacy and safety indices were 0.96 ± 0.14 and 1.01 ± 0.08, respectively. Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) was not reduced in any eyes, and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) was reduced one line in 1.9% of the cases; 79.9% of the cases were emmetropic. The long-term changes in UDVA, CDVA, and spherical equivalent were not different between groups with one, two, or three out-of-range topographic indices (all P > 0.05). A single out-of-range topographic index is not a strong predictor for postoperative complications, and one should consider the combination of topographic and clinical findings, or the pattern they create in tandem. Developing a scoring system that would take a combination of indices and topographic patterns may help improve the predictive accuracy of these indices.

Short-term anatomic response of the choroid to tropicamide in myopic patients.

We aimed to investigate how tropicamide alters subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFChT) and choriocapillaris flow density (CD) and determine the predictive factors of choroid thickness and vascular density in myopic eyes. This retrospective study was conducted from September 2018 to March 2019. SFChT was measured with enhanced depth spectrum-domain optical coherence tomography. The choriocapillaris was imaged using optical coherence tomography angiograms. Ocular parameters were measured thirty minutes before and after 1% tropicamide instillation. Twenty-five eyes of 15 patients (mean age 38.12 ± 6.35 years old and refractive error-8.57 ± 3.37 D) met the study criteria. The baseline linear regression model showed an association of thinner choroid with older age (P = .027) and high myopic patients (P = .001). Tropicamide substantially increased SFChT (P = .001), but had no significant influence on CD (P = .526). Moreover, SFChT variation after tropicamide instillation positively correlated with diopter changes in spherical equivalent (P = .005) and percentage changes in CD (P = .046). In myopic eyes, choroidal layer thickened substantially in response to tropicamide. The increase of SFChT only correlates with variations in spherical equivalent and CD. Short-term tropicamide installation altered both choroid thickness and choroid microvasculature, which implies an interplay among choroidal volume, perfusion, and ciliary muscle tone.

Laser-based refractive surgery techniques to treat myopia in adults. An overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs) are of great importance for basing clinical decisions. However, misleading interpretations may result when informed decisions rest on biased review papers with methodological issues. To evaluate which treatment is optimal, an overview was made of SRs and MAs to establish the quality and certainty of meta-evidence published on the efficacy of laser-based refractive surgery techniques for treating myopia in adults. A search was made in five databases and was updated using Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feed appliances up to April 2021; SRs with or without MAs were included. Methodological quality was appraised using the AMSTAR-2 tool. The best available reviews were summarized using the GRADE approach. The corrected covered area (CCA) was used to determine the degree of over-representation of publications. The risk of bias of the primary studies was disclosed visually. Thirty-six studies published between 2003 and 2021 were included. Twenty SRs (56%) were conducted in China. The most studied comparisons were SMILE versus FS-LASIK (19%) and FS-LASIK versus MM-LASIK (11%). Of the 251 overlapping index publications, 165 were unique (CCA = 0.015%), representing a negligible risk of skewed reporting. The AMSTAR-2 tool showed most SRs to have critically low or low quality. Nine reviews presented moderate quality. The GRADE approach of the 41 a priori outcomes evidenced critically low and low certainty of evidence. Only the spherical equivalent refraction changes at 12 months between LASEK and PRK showed moderate certainty of evidence, favouring PRK (mean difference 0.06, 95%CI [-0.02 to 0.14], I2 = 0%; p ≥ 0.05). Index trials among less biased reviews are prone to selection, performance and reporting bias. The appraised techniques exhibit comparable results in terms of efficacy. There is moderate certainty of evidence in favour of the use of PRK over LASEK in terms of the spherical equivalent refraction error changes at 1 year of follow-up. Most appraised SRs presented methodological flaws in critical domains, resulting in a low to critically low certainty of evidence after GRADE appraisal. Therefore, investigators need to study and compare the different laser-based refractive techniques to provide better evidence-based medicine. Further well-designed, high-quality clinical trials and SRs are needed to reappraise the current findings.

Characteristics of responders to atropine 0.01% as treatment in Asian myopic children.

Recently, low-concentration atropine (0.01%) has gained increased attention in controlling myopia progression with satisfying effects and minimal side effects. However, studies concerning responders to 0.01% atropine are limited. This retrospective observational cohort study aimed to determine the responder characteristics of 0.01% atropine in Asian children. One hundred forty children (aged between 3 and 15 years) receiving 0.01% atropine were analyzed for the factors influencing annual spherical equivalent changes (SE). The mean age was 9.13 (2.6) years, the mean baseline SE was − 1.56 (1.52) diopters (D), and the mean annual SE change was − 0.52 (0.49) D. A 58.63% responder rate (146/249) of myopic control was achieved with 0.01% atropine in our entire cohort under the criteria of less than 0.5 D of myopic progression annually. The subjects were stratified into 4 subgroups based on a cut-off point of baseline SE of − 1.5 D and baseline age of 9 years. The responder rate differed significantly with the highest being the youngest with the lowest myopia subgroups. Our results demonstrated that children with myopia better than − 1.5 D and younger than 9 years had the highest potential to achieve successful myopic control under 0.01% atropine therapy.

Longitudinal Changes in Refractive Error Among Preschool Children Aged 1–6 Years: The Changsha Children Eye Study

PurposeTo investigate the longitudinal changes in refractive error of preschool children and explore the factors related to these changes and the timing of intervention.MethodsThe refractive data of preschool children aged 1–6 years were collected from 16 community Health Service Centers in Changsha during April 2016 to July 2019 for the retrospective cohort study. The refractive data of each participant was measured with a hand-held vision screener without cycloplegia. A follow-up for all the included participants was performed. The spherical equivalent change was calculated, subsequently, an analysis of risk factors related to the change was performed.ResultsFour thousand nine hundred twenty-one cases were included in the study with the follow-up for 1–2 years. The refractive status was found smoothly changed in 67.8% of children. The overall initial SE was 0.62 ± 1.13 D, and the average SE change was −0.20 ± 1.23 D per year. However, profound myopic shift was observed in 32.2% of children. The change of SE in 3-year-old group is most overt. The proportions of 1–6 years old who showed moderate and severe myopic shift (SE change ≥–1.00 D) were 21.6, 18.9, 28.2, 25.5, 13.4, and 10%, respectively. At the first visit, the younger children with greater hyperopic state exhibited more noticeable myopic shift, no significant difference was found in gender.ConclusionThe shift from hyperopia to myopia in preschool children is smooth, with −0.20D change on average per year. We suggest that an optometry screening should start at 3-year-old to track children's refractive status. We recommend that preschool children whose SE changes more than −1.00 D per year go to the ophthalmology department for further examination. Our study also found that at the first visit, the younger the child is and the more positive initial SE is, the degree of shift of myopia is greater.

Longitudinal analysis of 5-year refractive changes in a large Japanese population

Refractive changes are reportedly affected by age, sex, and current refractive error. To clarify the pattern of refractive changes in a Japanese population, we conducted a 5-year follow-up longitudinal analysis of spherical equivalent (SE) refractive changes with stratification by sex, age, and SE in 593,273 eyes from Japanese individuals ages 3–91 years. The 5-year SE change with myopic shift dramatically increased over time after age 4 years, and the largest change was observed in both males and females who were age 8 years at baseline [males: − 2.654 ± 0.048 diopters (D); females: − 3.110 ± 0.038 D]. During school age, the 5-year myopic change was greater in females than in males, and emmetropic and low-to-moderate myopic eyes underwent larger myopic changes than hyperopic and high-to-severe myopic eyes. After the peak at age 8 years, the 5-year myopic change gradually declined with age and fell below − 0.25 D at age 27 in males and age 26 years in females. The 5-year SE changes transitioned from a myopic to a hyperopic shift at age 51 in both sexes, and hyperopization advanced more quickly in hyperopic eyes. Our findings highlight the importance of myopia prevention in school-aged children.

Relationship between Medium-Term Changes in Intraocular Lens Position and Refraction after Cataract Surgery with Two Different Models of Monofocal Lenses

The aim of this prospective descriptive study was to characterize the variations of the clinical effective lens position (ELP) (considering paraxial optics and postoperative data) and the intraocular lens (IOL) position, using “eye” data gathered from a 6-month follow-up of patients who underwent uneventful cataract surgery. Patients were implanted with two different monofocal IOLs: AcrySof IQ SN60WF (Alcon) (Group 1, 247 eyes) and Akreos MI60L (Bausch & Lomb) (Group 2, 104 eyes). No significant differences were found between groups concerning spherical equivalent (SE), axial length, and clinical ELP changes, from 1 to 6 months after surgery (p ≥ 0.516). A more positive change in postoperative anterior chamber depth was found in Group 2, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.065). No significant moderate to strong correlations were found between the changes in clinical ELP and preoperative data. The correlation between the changes in SE and clinical ELP over time was strong and statistically significant (groups 1 and 2: r = 0.957 and r = 0.993, p < 0.001). In conclusion, changes in refraction from 1 to 6 months after cataract surgery, with single-piece monofocal IOLs, are not clinically relevant, which correlates with the presence of good positional stability. These changes cannot be predicted preoperatively and considered in IOL power calculations.