Spectacle Wear Research Articles

Starting Time of Presbyopic Eyeglasses Wear and Lifestyle

PurposePresbyopia is a serious burden in the aged population, however, the factors affecting its progression have not been fully determined. The aim of this study was to explore the association between the time of starting to wear presbyopic eyeglasses and lifestyle, in participants aged from 40 to 59 years.MethodsWe selected the sample to be representative of sex and age for the age group 40 to 59 years. Participants completed a web-based survey on presbyopia-related questions, symptomatic dry eye, sleep habits, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, subjective happiness scale (SHS), and other lifestyle-related questions including marital status, income, screen time, sun exposure, family history of myopia, and the frequency of regular visits to medical services.ResultsWe found 529 participants (26.5%) used near correction, with a mean age for first near correction of 47.8±4.8 years. An earlier commencement of near correction correlated with hyperopia (P = 0.013), late wake-up time (P = 0.010), a poor subjective sleep quality score (P = 0.019), and a low annual income score (P = 0.025), after adjusting for age and sex. Stratification by income demonstrated the low-income group exhibited more dry eye, later wake-up time, longer sleep latency, longer sleep duration, worse sleep efficacy, lower SHS score, and a higher prevalence of living alone compared with the high-income group. The usage of corrective devices did not differ between the two groups.ConclusionsThe current study suggests a healthy sleep habit may delay the need for near correction, in addition to myopia. Shift work and circadian rhythm disruption might exacerbate presbyopia progression.

Perceptual Adaptation to Continuous Versus Intermittent Exposure to Spatial Distortions.

PurposeTo examine perceptual adaptation when people wear spectacles that produce unequal retinal image magnification.MethodsTwo groups of 15 participants (10 male; mean age 25.6 ± 4.9 years) wore spectacles with a 3.8% horizontal magnifier over one eye. The continuous-wear group wore the spectacles for 5 hours straight. The intermittent-wear group wore them for five 1-hour intervals. To measure slant and shape distortions produced by the spectacles, participants adjusted visual stimuli until they appeared frontoparallel or equiangular, respectively. Adaptation was quantified as the difference in responses at the beginning and end of wearing the spectacles. Aftereffects were quantified as the difference before and after removing the spectacles. We hypothesized that intermittent wear may lead to visual cue reweighting, so we fit a cue combination model to the data and examined changes in weights given to perspective and binocular disparity slant cues.ResultsBoth groups experienced significant shape adaptation and aftereffects. The continuous-wear group underwent significant slant adaptation and the intermittent group did not, but there was no significant difference between groups, suggesting that the difference in adaptation was negligible. There was no evidence for cue reweighting in the intermittent wear group, but unexpectedly, the weight given to binocular disparity cues for slant increased significantly in the continuous-wear group.ConclusionsWe did not find strong evidence that adaptation to spatial distortions differed between the two groups. However, there may be differences in the cue weighting strategies employed when spectacles are worn intermittently or continuously.

Demographic characteristics and ocular needs of children attending child eye clinics in Cross River State, Nigeria: a retrospective analysis of clinical records

ObjectivesTo describe the demographic characteristics and ocular needs of children attending four child eye clinics in Cross River State, Nigeria, to inform the development of a sustainable spectacle cross-subsidisation scheme.DesignRetrospective...

Comparison of Face Width and Frame Design between Korean and Chinese Spectacle Wearers

Comparison of Face Width and Frame Design between Korean and Chinese Spectacle Wearers

Correction of moderate to high refractive astigmatism with extended range toric soft contact lenses in patients with different patterns of astigmatism.

This study aimed to evaluate the visual performance of extended range, toric soft contact lenses (TSCLs) in patients with keratoconus and moderate to high astigmatism with different astigmatic patterns. This was a retrospective, cross-sectional clinical study. Extended range TSCL users with astigmatism ≥3.0 D were included. Cases were categorised into three subgroups, namely regular, irregular (non-keratoconus) and keratoconic based on the topographic pattern of astigmatism. In addition, subjects were subdivided based on the degree of astigmatism. Fifty five patients (82 eyes) were enrolled, of whom 28 (51%) were female. The mean age was 24.2±7.5 (range: 8-41years) years. Thirty-six eyes with regular astigmatism (43.9%), 34 eyes with irregular astigmatism (41.5%) and 12 eyes with keratoconus (14.6%) were included. The percentage improvement in visual acuity (VA) was significantly higher with contact lenses compared with spectacles in all groups (p<0.001), with the highest improvement in subjects with keratoconus (p=0.03). Twenty six (31.7%), 30 (36.6%) and 26 eyes (31.7%) had moderate (-3.0 to -4.24 D), moderate/high (-4.25 to -5.99 D) and high (≤-6.0 D) astigmatism, respectively. The percentage improvement in VA with contact lenses was statistically significantly higher than for spectacle wear in all groups (p<0.001). This study demonstrated that satisfactory visual outcomes can be obtained with extended range TSCLs in patients having moderate to high astigmatism with different astigmatic patterns.

Tear Proteomics of Children and Young Adult Soft Contact Lens, Orthokeratology and Spectacle Wearers – A Pilot Study

Purpose Contact lens complications occur more often in older teenagers and young adults compared to children. This study explored differences in tear proteomics between children and young adults wearing soft contact lens (SCL), orthokeratology or spectacles for >3 years. Methods Twelve children and 12 sex- and correction-matched young adults were enrolled. Tears were collected via Schirmer strips for tear proteomic analysis using mass spectrometry. Proteome Discoverer was used for protein identification. Label-Free Quantitation was generated using Scaffold software; Fisher’s Exact tests were used to compare proteins by age and correction groups. Generalized linear models were used to assess differences in overall protein levels by age and correction groups. A secondary analysis of proteins presented in >50% of samples of each group was conducted using the R/Bioconductor limma package. Results There were 385 proteins present only in young adults while 183 were unique in children. There were 528 unique proteins to SCL, 96 to orthokeratology and 149 to spectacle wearers. Based on Fisher’s Exact analyses, 126 proteins were higher in young adults than children (all P < 0.048). Forty-seven protein levels were higher in SCL compared to orthokeratology (all P < 0.01), 33 protein levels were higher in SCL compared to spectacles (all P < 0.01), 15 protein levels were higher in orthokeratology compared to spectacle wearers (all P < 0.01). Based on generalized linear models, young adults had higher overall protein levels than children (P = 0.001), SCL had higher protein levels than spectacle wearers (P < 0.001) but no differences were found between orthokeratology and spectacle wearers (P = 0.79). Based on the secondary analysis, only Antileukoproteinase was higher in the young adult orthokeratology group compared to other groups (P < 0.01). Conclusions Tear protein type and abundance differ by age and correction. Further research is needed to understand the effects of contact lens correction in children and young adults on the tear proteome.

Tribal Odisha Eye Disease Study # 11 - Particularly vulnerable tribal group eye health program. Program protocol and validation.

Purpose:To describe and validate the eye health program protocol of Dongria tribal community, a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) in Rayagada district, Odisha, India.Methods:The program would consist of three segments. At people’s residences, trained community health workers (CHWs) will measure the vision and collect demographic data. In addition, vision technicians (VTs) will refract using a hand-held device and prescribe spectacles to people who improve to >6/12, N8. Others would be referred to the vision center (VC). At VC, the VT will perform a slit-lamp examination and re-refract. They would refer people with vision ≤6/12 to the secondary center (SC). At SC, referred people will receive a comprehensive eye examination and treatment. The ophthalmologist will assign the cause of blindness and visual impairment for people with visual acuity <6/12. The entire process was rehearsed in a pilot study.Results:The target population is approximately 10,000 people residing in 101 hutments on the hills of Rayagada district. The pilot study included 126 people. The mean age was 44 ± 18 years; 70% of the people were illiterate, and in this cohort, 97.6% (n = 123) had never worn spectacles. In the pilot study, 41% of the people had cataract, and 12% had pterygium. The agreements between optometrist versus VTs and between optometrist versus CHWs were good (k = ~0.8–1.0) in all eye conditions except for strabismus (k = ~0.56–0.65)Conclusion:The pilot study confirms the program modality, and when completed, it would help in the planning and resource allocation of Odisha PVTG eye care.

The Chinese version of the Pediatric Refractive Error Profile2 (PREP2): Translation, validation and reliability

ObjectiveThis study aimed to develop and evaluate an adapted Chinese version of the Pediatric Refractive Error Profile2 (PREP2) and to evaluate its acceptability, reliability, and validity in a population of Chinese children with refractive error. MethodsThe Chinese version of the PREP2 was translated using a standardized procedure and then administered to consecutive outpatients with refractive error. Reliability was assessed by the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for internal consistency and test–retest reliability. Validity of the questionnaire was assessed by item discriminant validity, construct validity, known-groups validity, and concurrent validity. ResultsA total of 104 subjects were recruited for the study and all completed the Chinese version of the PREP2 questionnaire with no problems. A random sample of 50 patients completed the questionnaire twice within one week. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficients ranged from 0.71 to 0.89 across scales, and the intraclass correlation coefficient ranged from 0.86 to 0.92, indicating excellent internal consistency and test–retest reliability. The item-scale correlation coefficients between the items and the corresponding scales ranged from 0.39 to 0.88. The translated questionnaire had good discriminatory power between contact lens wearers and spectacle wearers. Significant correlations were found between the scales and traditional clinical parameters, such as spherical equivalent and uncorrected visual acuity, showing good construct and concurrent validity. ConclusionThe Chinese version of the PREP2 exhibited good internal consistency, test–retest reliability, item-scale correlation, discriminatory power, construct validity, and concurrent validity. Therefore, it may be adopted as an acceptable, reliable, and valid instrument for the measurement of vision-related quality of life in Chinese children with refractive error.

A genome-wide analysis of 340 318 participants identifies four novel loci associated with the age of first spectacle wear.

Refractive errors, particularly myopia, are the most common eye conditions, often leading to serious visual impairment. The age of onset is correlated with the severity of refractive error in adulthood observed in epidemiological and genetic studies and can be used as a proxy in refractive error genetic studies. To further elucidate genetic factors that influence refractive error, we analysed self-reported age of refractive error correction data from the UK Biobank European and perform genome-wide time-to-event analyses on the age of first spectacle wear (AFSW). Genome-wide proportional hazards ratio analyses were conducted in 340 318 European subjects. We subsequently assessed the similarities and differences in the genetic architectures of refractive error correction from different causes. All-cause AFSW was genetically strongly correlated (rg = −0.68) with spherical equivalent (the measured strength of spectacle lens required to correct the refractive error) and was used as a proxy for refractive error. Time-to-event analyses found genome-wide significant associations at 44 independent genomic loci, many of which (GJD2, LAMA2, etc.) were previously associated with refractive error. We also identified six novel regions associated with AFSW, the most significant of which was on chromosome 17q (P = 3.06 × 10−09 for rs55882072), replicating in an independent dataset. We found that genes associated with AFSW were significantly enriched for expression in central nervous system tissues and were involved in neurogenesis. This work demonstrates the merits of time-to-event study design in the genetic investigation of refractive error and contributes additional knowledge on its genetic risk factors in the general population.

A Study to Check the Awareness and Myths about the Contact Lens among the Educated Population of the Northern Uttar Pradesh, India

Purpose: The aim and purpose of this study are to determine the awareness among people about contact lenses and also about the facts and myths regarding contact lens. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey on 300 people of northern U. P. having the refractive error. It was done through a Questionnaire-based survey for which a structural, standardized, self-administered questionnaire in the English language was made, including three sections named Section A, B, and C. Section A is common for all the participants, Section B was for contact lens wearers and Section C was for those who were not Contact lens wearer but they were spectacle wearer. Result: Among the 300 subjects 32% (96 people), were regular users of contact lens whereas 68% (204 people) have never tried Contact lens because of the myth in their minds about contact lens. 38% (114 people) think about the contact lens is a thin, curved plastic lens that is used to correct refractive error. 12% (36 people) think that this is an eye protection device and 28% (84 people) think that it is used for cosmetic purposes. Conclusion: Everyone who participated in this survey was well educated and possesses many misconceptions about the contact lens. Due to which they avoid the use of Contact lenses and also suggest the same to others. So it can be concluded that there is an urgent need of enhancing the knowledge about contact lens among people. Keywords: Contact lens, Myths, Refractive error, Awareness, Vision-related problems.

Factors Associated with the Spectacle Wear Compliance among Primary School Students with Refractive Error in Rural China

ABSTRACT Purpose To study the factors determining spectacle-wear compliance and reasons for non-wear among students in rural China. Methods This study was based on a spectacle intervention trial among 162 schools in rural China. Students with refractive errors were randomly assigned to either a free or voucher group to receive spectacles at baseline. Spectacle-wear compliance was assessed through an unannounced follow-up 7 months after spectacles were distributed. Students not wearing spectacles were also asked their reasons for non-wear. The collected data underwent descriptive, bivariate, and logistic regression analyses. Results A total of 1904 students received spectacles at baseline, 1826 (95.9%) of whom were present at the 7-month follow-up. Among those students, 41.7% wore their spectacles. There was no significant difference in compliance rates between the free and voucher groups. Predictors of wearing spectacles at follow-up included older age (Odds ratio = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.12–2.19), the severity of refractive error (3.68, 2.23–6.07), wearing spectacles before baseline (3.91, 2.53–6.04) and having friends who wore spectacles (1.87, 1.32–2.63). When students could see the blackboard from their seats (0.68, 0.51–0.89) and thought that wearing spectacles was bad looking (0.76, 0.57–1.00), they were reluctant to wear spectacles. The two main reasons for non-wear were the widespread perception that wearing spectacles would weaken eyesight (32.8%) and the inconvenience of wearing spectacles during activities (23.6%). Conclusions The main reason that accounts for the low compliance of spectacle wear was misconceptions around spectacle. School-based spectacle programs should consider enhancing the compliance rates to maximize the benefits of spectacle wear.

Whole exome sequence analysis in 51 624 participants identifies novel genes and variants associated with refractive error and myopia.

Refractive errors are associated with a range of pathological conditions, such as myopic maculopathy and glaucoma, and are highly heritable. Studies of missense and putative loss of function (pLOF) variants identified via whole exome sequencing (WES) offer the prospect of directly implicating potentially causative disease genes. We performed a genome-wide association study for refractive error in 51 624 unrelated adults, of European ancestry, aged 40–69 years from the UK and genotyped using WES. After testing 29 179 pLOF and 495 263 missense variants, 1 pLOF and 18 missense variants in 14 distinct genomic regions were taken forward for fine-mapping analysis. This yielded 19 putative causal variants of which 18 had a posterior inclusion probability >0.5. Of the 19 putative causal variants, 12 were novel discoveries. Specific variants were associated with a more myopic refractive error, while others were associated with a more hyperopic refractive error. Association with age of onset of spectacle wear (AOSW) was examined in an independent validation sample (38 100 early AOSW cases and 74 243 controls). Of 11 novel variants that could be tested, 8 (73%) showed evidence of association with AOSW status. This work identified COL4A4 and ATM as novel candidate genes associated with refractive error. In addition, novel putative causal variants were identified in the genes RASGEF1, ARMS2, BMP4, SIX6, GSDMA, GNGT2, ZNF652 and CRX. Despite these successes, the study also highlighted the limitations of community-based WES studies compared with high myopia case–control WES studies.

Assessment of stereopsis in pediatric and adolescent spectacle-corrected refractive error - A cross-sectional study.

Purpose:To assess the level of stereopsis in school children with spectacle-corrected refractive errors using Titmus fly and Randot stereo tests, evaluate the factors associated with the level of stereopsis, and determine the level of agreement between the two tests.Methods:A cross-sectional study was done on 5- to 18-year-old school-children wearing spectacles for at least 1-month duration. Visual acuity was assessed using Snellen’s visual acuity chart, and their spectacle correction being used currently was measured using an auto lensmeter. The level of stereopsis was assessed using Randot and Titmus fly stereo tests. Data were entered using Microsoft Excel and analyzed using IBM-SPSS version 20, Chicago, IL. The associations between stereopsis and type of refractive error, visual acuity, age, and gender were analyzed. An agreement between Randot and Titmus fly test was done using Kappa statistics.Results:A total of 222 children (101 boys and 121 girls; mean age 13 years) were assessed. Astigmatism was the most prevalent refractive error (60.4%), followed by myopia (24.8%) and hypermetropia (1.4%). Thirty children (13.5%) had anisometropia. All hyperopes had normal stereopsis. Children with spherical myopia had better stereopsis, followed by astigmatism and anisometropia in the same order (P = 0.036). Children with anisometropia ≤1.5 D had better stereopsis than anisometropia more than 1.5 D. Stereopsis was also found to have no correlation with the age and visual acuity at the time of testing or the age at which the child first started wearing spectacles. Stereopsis values obtained from Randot and Titmus fly stereo tests showed moderate agreement with Kappa value 0.581.Conclusion:Anisometropia and astigmatism are the most critical factors determining the level of stereopsis in refractive errors.

Ophthalmic Anthropometry Versus Spectacle Frame Measurements

Purpose: Refractive errors among children are on the rise and more children are wearing spectacle correction. Selecting an appropriate frame that conforms to the child's developing facial features is vital for comfortable spectacle wear. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the facial and frame measurements in spectacle-wearing children in southern India. Materials and Methods: This observational study included spectacle-wearing children aged 5–17 years. Participants were enrolled from the Paediatric Outpatient Department of a tertiary care hospital and across various schools in southern India. The facial and frame measurements such as pupillary distance, crest height (CH), bridge projection, apical radius, distance between rims at 10 mm and 15 mm, frontal angle (FA), splay angle, front to bend, head width, temple width (TW), angle of side and downward angle of drop were measured using Rees Fairbanks facial gauge, head and TW caliper and Association of British dispensing opticians frame rule. Results: Hundred and four children participated in the study. Statistically significant differences (P &lt; 0.01, Wilcoxon signed-rank test) were observed between all facial and frame measurements such as CH, splay and FAs. Bland–Altman plots indicated large mean differences and wide limits of agreement between facial and frame measurements. Conclusion: Our study shows a large discrepancy between children's facial measurements and corresponding spectacle frame measurements. Many children were wearing reduced version of adult frames. This study highlights the need for dispensing age-appropriate spectacle frames for children. This may have implications for improved spectacle uptake and compliance.

Clinical profile of amblyopia and outcome of occlusion therapy in pediatric populations attending a referral hospital

AIM: To study clinical profile of amblyopia and also the outcomes of occlusion therapy among the amblyopes. METHODS: This was a hospital-based longitudinal study by design. Data were collected from April 2015 to April 2016 in Ophthalmology Department of Dhulikhel Hospital. Presenting visual acuity, chief complaint at presentation, age at presentation, refractive status, binocularity and fixation patterns were assessed in all the children with amblyopia. Improvement in visual acuity was also noted in all the subjects after occlusion therapy, which is a most commonly used modality of treatment for amblyopia. RESULTS: Among 1092 children examined during the study period, 60 (5.49%) were amblyopic. Among them, 35 (58.30%) were females and 25 (41.70%) were males. The mean age at presentation was 8.87±3.29y. Meridional amblyopia was the most prevalent subtype seen in 43.3% (n=26) of children followed by anisohypermetropic amblyopia (20%, n=12). The most common refractive error was astigmatism accounting for 58.30% of the total cases followed by hypermetropia (22.5%) and myopia (7.5%). Compliance with spectacle wear combined with occlusion therapy and active vision therapy was 73.3% (n=44). There was a statistically significant improvement in visual acuity of the amblyopic eyes after the different treatment strategies after 3mo (P=0.002). CONCLUSION: Prevalence of amblyopia and associated visual impairment is still a public health issue in developing countries like Nepal. Lack of awareness and lack of community or preschool vision screening for children lead to late presentation and significant visual impairment associated with the condition. The burden can easily be reduced with screening camps, timely referrals and proper interventions.

Comparison of Self-Esteem and Social Anxiety Levels of Adolescents Who Wear Spectacles and Who Do Not

Introduction: Self-esteem and social anxiety could affect both the social life and school success of adolescents. Wearing spectacles in adolescence may be related to self-esteem and social anxiety. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to compare the level of self-esteem and social anxiety between adolescents who wear spectacles and those who do not. Methods: This comparative descriptive study which was conducted in Sivas Cumhuriyet University Ophthalmology outpatient clinic between March-July 2021, consisted of 108 adolescents who have been wearing spectacles for at least one year, and age and sex-matched, 150 healthy adolescents. Self-esteem was measured by Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale and social anxiety was measured by Social Anxiety Scale for Children-Revised. The socio-demographic characteristics of the participants and clinical data on spectacle were evaluated via a sociodemographic data form. Results: 69 (63.9%) of the study group were girls, and the mean age was 12.92±1.55 years. For the right eyes, the mean spherical equivalent (SE) value was -1.10±3.23 D and it was -1.15±3.39 D for the left eyes. The mean self-esteem scores of the spectacle wearers were significantly lower (22.53±4.60 vs. 25.50±2.05, p&amp;lt;0.001), and the mean social anxiety scale scores were significantly higher (40.23±10.90 vs. 36.13±7.57, p=0.006) compared the control group. When the patients were evaluated as myopic (n=78) and hyperopic (n=30) regarding the SE, even though there was an increase in the social anxiety score as the degree of myopia increased for both eyes (for right, r=.-280, p=0.01, and for left, r=.-235, p=0.04), there was no significant correlation with self-esteem scores (p&amp;gt;0.05). Conclusion: Wearing spectacles in adolescence seems to be related to self-esteem and social anxiety. An appropriate approach would be to perform a thorough psychological evaluation of adolescents who wear spectacles.

Hyperopia Is Not Causally Associated With a Major Deficit in Educational Attainment.

PurposeHyperopia (farsightedness) has been associated with a deficit in children's educational attainment in some studies. We aimed to investigate the causality of the relationship between refractive error and educational attainment.MethodsMendelian randomization (MR) analysis in 74,463 UK Biobank participants was used to estimate the causal effect of refractive error on years spent in full-time education, which was taken as a measure of educational attainment. A polygenic score for refractive error derived from 129 genetic variants was used as the instrumental variable. Both linear and nonlinear (allowing for a nonlinear relationship between refractive error and educational attainment) MR analyses were performed.ResultsAssuming a linear relationship between refractive error and educational attainment, the causal effect of refractive error on years spent in full-time education was estimated as −0.01 yr/D (95% confidence interval, −0.04 to +0.02; P = 0.52), suggesting minimal evidence for a non-zero causal effect. Nonlinear MR supported the hypothesis of the nonlinearity of the relationship (I2 = 80.3%; Cochran's Q = 28.2; P = 8.8e-05) but did not suggest that hyperopia was associated with a major deficit in years spent in education.ConclusionsThis work suggested that the causal relationship between refractive error and educational attainment was nonlinear but found no evidence that moderate hyperopia caused a major deficit in educational attainment. Importantly, however, because statistical power was limited and some participants with moderate hyperopia would have worn spectacles as children, modest adverse effects may have gone undetected.Translational RelevanceThese findings suggest that moderate hyperopia does not cause a major deficit in educational attainment.

Spectacle wear and refractive errors in Dutch children

Abstract Background Myopia is a refractive error that is increasing dramatically all over the world. Early onset is associated with a significant visual burden later in life, but little is known about refractive errors in preschool children. The aim of this study was to assess prevalence of spectacle wear, visual acuity and refractive errors in young Dutch children and to make global comparisons. Methods We analyzed data of three prospective population-based studies: 99,660 3- to 5-year-olds undergoing vision screening at preventive child healthcare organizations, 6,934 6-year-olds from the Generation R study, and 2,974 7-year-olds from the RAMSES study. Visual acuity was measured with Landolt-C or LEA charts, spectacle wear was assessed, and refractive errors at age 6 and 7 were measured with cycloplegic refraction. Spectacle wear was compared with international studies. Results The prevalence of spectacle wear was 1.5%, 2.3%, 6.6%, 8.2% and 11.8% at 36, 45, 60, 72 and 84 months, respectively, with no major sex differences. Among children with spectacle wear at 72 months (N = 583) and 84 months (N = 351) 29.8% and 34.6% had myopia respectively, of which 21.1% and 21.6% combined with astigmatism, 19.6% and 6.8% had hyperopia, 37.2% and 11.1% hyperopia and astigmatism, and 12.5% and 33.3% astigmatism only. The prevalence of spectacle wear globally varied between 1.5% to 21%. Conclusions Spectacle wear in these European children started early in preschool and increased to substantial figures at school age. Among children with spectacle wear, &amp;gt;30% were already myopic, illustrating the urgency to implement myopia prevention strategies in child health centers. Key messages Early onset myopia is a public health issue. Of the 6- to 7-year-olds with spectacles 30-34% were already myopic. Monitoring of refractive errors and preventive lifestyle interventions are warranted.

Single-vision spectacle use and myopia progression in children with low myopia, a propensity score matching study.

PurposeTo investigate the impact of single-vision spectacle use on myopia progression in children with low myopia.MethodsMYOSOTIS is a prospective myopia screening survey including all 46 primary and junior high schools in two districts of Hangzhou, China. After 1-to-1 propensity score matching (PSM), 1,685 pairs of students with low myopia were included. Group 1 was composed of 1,685 non-spectacle users at baseline, and group 2 consisted of 1,685 spectacle wearers at both survey rounds. Refraction was examined by noncycloplegic autorefraction and mean spherical equivalent refraction (SER) of both eyes was analyzed. Myopia progression was measured by average rate of change in SER (r∆SER) between two survey rounds and compared between the two groups.ResultsAfter PSM, no significant difference in age, sex ratio, SER, and uncorrected visual acuity (VA) between the two groups was found at baseline. For myopic progression, r∆SER showed no significant difference between the two groups (− 0.67 ± 0.97 versus − 0.69 ± 0.81 diopter/year, P = 0.448). After adjusting for age, sex, SER, and VA, the difference in r∆SER between the two groups was not significant (− 0.031, 95% CI − 0.089 ~ 0.028 diopter/year, P = 0.302). In the subgroup analyses stratified by age and SER, and in the sensitivity analyses by eye side, there was still no significant difference in myopia progression between the two groups.ConclusionsOur study indicates that single-vision spectacle use has no impact on myopia progression in children with low myopia. Spectacles are recommended in children with low myopia if their visual acuity has interfered with the daily life.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00417-021-05423-6.

Development of a Spectacle Wear Monitor System: SpecsOn Monitor.

PurposeThis study aimed to custom design, build, and test a removable device that accurately and objectively monitors adherence to spectacle wear in preschool children participating in clinical trials. This work will provide researchers with the tools to investigate the effect of adherence to optical treatment in conditions relating to refractive error, such as anisometropia, amblyopia, myopia, and accommodative esotropia, where spectacle wearing behaviors are of interest.MethodsSeveral sensors were considered in the design of the SpecsOn monitor. The final version included two temperature sensors, one that measures skin temperature through an infrared sensor directed at the wearer's temple on the spectacle arm and the other measuring device temperature. The difference between the two temperature readings is used to determine if the spectacles were worn. The SpecsOn monitor was tested in two phases in adult participants (laboratory n = 10 and real world n = 5).ResultsResults from both phases showed good agreement between the objective measurement of wear based on skin and device temperature differences and participants’ manually logged wear times. The custom built SpecsOn monitor was 99% successful in accurately detecting spectacle wear in our adult cohort.ConclusionsThe SpecsOn monitor offers a convenient, accurate, and reliable system to monitor spectacle adherence. The devices were comfortable, secure, and unobtrusive to wear, and fitted easily to a variety of frame styles.Translational RelevanceEasy access to spectacle compliance information from the SpecsOn monitor during the optical treatment phase will optimize visual outcomes and provide detailed clinical data to support decision making on the need and timing of additional therapies, improving treatment efficiency.