The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the Covid-19-related lockdown on myopia progression of school-aged children in Lebanon. The authors reviewed 443 records of myopic children aged 3–18 years (mean 11.81 ±3.67) presenting from January 2020 to December 2021. Sixty percent were female. Each child had an average of 3.85 ±1.67 visits dating back to January 2016. Mean spherical equivalent in 2016 was -1.04 ±2.35D, in 2017, -1.43 ±2.54D, in 2018, -1.64 ±2.63D, in 2019, -1.75 ±2.36D, in 2020, -2.21 ±2.52D and in 2021, -2.39 ±2.33D. Mean spherical equivalents for 2020 and 2021 were significantly higher than any for the previous years pre 2020. There was no significant difference for mean annual progression or within age groups. Children with pre-existent myopia were significantly older than those without pre-existent myopia; mean 12.31 ±3.45 years vs. 9.77 ±3.77 years. The authors noted many Lebanese children could spend time outdoors during lockdown aided by good weather throughout the year and therefore, could have served as a protective factor against substantial myopia. They conclude they had more myopic spherical equivalent in 2020 and 2021 compared to previous years with the highest annual progression in 2020–2021, especially for younger children aged 3–10 years.
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Increase in myopia during the Covid-19 lockdown periods
Reviewed by Fiona Rowe
CONTRIBUTOR
Fiona Rowe (Prof)
Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, UK.
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