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. 2020 Nov 20;15(11):e0241759.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241759. eCollection 2020.

Myopia progression varies with age and severity of myopia

Pavan Kumar Verkicharla  1   2 , Priyanka Kammari  3 , Anthony Vipin Das  3   4
Affiliations

Myopia progression varies with age and severity of myopia

Pavan Kumar Verkicharla et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Objective: To investigate annual myopia progression in individuals from South Indian states across different age groups, and its association with age of onset and severity of myopia.

Methods: This retrospective study included the data of 6984 myopes (range: 1-30 years), who visited at least twice to LV Prasad Eye Institute and on whom a standard retinoscopy technique was performed to determine refractive error. Based on spherical equivalent (SE) refractive error, individuals were classified into mild, moderate, high and severe myopic groups. Myopia progression was calculated as difference between SE at 1-year follow-up visit and at baseline. To determine the age-specific myopia progression, individuals were further categorized as myopes who are at least 15 years or younger and those who are above 15.

Results: The mean annual progression of myopia was influenced by both the age group (p < 0.001) and severity type of myopia (p < 0.001). The overall mean myopia progression ranged from -0.07 ± 0.02 D (standard error) to -0.51 ± 0.02 D across different age groups with maximum change in refractive error noted in children aged 6-10 years and the least in adults aged 26-30 years. Myopia progression was greater in severe myopes, followed by high, moderate, mild myopes and in individuals aged ≤ 15 years compared to those aged >15 years (-0.45 ± 0.01 vs. 0.14 ± 0.01, p < 0.001). Severe myopes alone had similar annual myopia progression rate irrespective of age (i.e ≤15 and >15 years, p = 0.71). Early onset of myopia was associated with high myopia in adulthood.

Conclusion: The magnitude of myopia progression in children from South Indian states is comparable to that of Caucasians and Chinese. The greater progression in 'severe myopes' across different age groups emphasize the need for regular follow-ups, monitoring axial lengths, and anti-myopia strategies to control myopia progression irrespective of the age and degree of myopia.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Flowchart with sample distribution based on inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Mean myopia progression based on age.
Error bars represent standard error of the mean.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Mean annual progression of myopia based on the severity of myopia in myopes younger than 15 years and those 15 years or older.
Error bars represent standard error of the mean. Note (*) indicates the significance of variables.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Mean spherical equivalent based on the age of onset of myopia, only in adult individuals who are at least 20 years and above.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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