A retrospective case review aimed to evaluate the association between home confinement and progression of myopia in Argentina during 2020. Data was collected using an online survey of ophthalmologists throughout Argentina. The inclusion criteria included being five to 18-years-old, found to be myopic for the first time, and two previous cycloplegic refractions demonstrating emmetropia. Children with high astigmatism and other ocular pathology were excluded. A total of 39 children met the inclusion criteria. The mean myopic shift was found to be significantly lower in 2018 to 2019 (-0.43D) compared to 2019 to 2020 (-1.10D) following school closures and home confinement. This study reports similar findings to accelerating myopic shift found in three other countries. This study strengthens the body of evidence of the increase in myopic progression which occurred during COVID-19 restrictions in 2020.
Association between COVID-19 restrictions and accelerated myopia progression
Reviewed by Lauren Hepworth
Rapid progression of myopia at onset during home confinement.
CONTRIBUTOR
Lauren R Hepworth
University of Liverpool; Honorary Stroke Specialist Clinical Orthoptist, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust; St Helen’s and Knowsley NHS Foundation Trust, UK.
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