Incidence and progression of myopia in children (0 – 15 years) with reference to causes and risk factors in a tertiary eye care centre in central India

Abstract

To study the causes and risk factors for development of myopia and to see short term progression in children of 0 – 15 years. A prospective observational study was conducted among children attending the Ophthalmology department of a Tertiary care centre in Central India, from October 2019 to September 2021. In order to determine the refractive status of the eye, all subjects underwent visual acuity tests, anterior and posterior segment examinations, and various other investigations. Data was collected during the first year concerning their parents' use of spectacles, duration of indoor activity near work, and outdoor activity, and progression was tracked during the second year. Statistical software SPSS 23.0 version was used to tabulate and analyze the data.Amongst714 children between the age 0 – 15 years, myopia was seen in 19.9% subjects. Amongst those with myopia, 28% showed progression. In those showing progression, 50% belonged to 11 – 15-year age group, a female predilection of 64.3%, 50% with parental history of refractive error, 71.4% subjects were involved in > 2 hours/day of indoor active near work and 57.1% subjects were involved in < 2 hours/ day of outdoor activity. In subjects with progression of myopia, 71.4% had an increase in axial length of < 1 mm. While in subjects less than 10 years of age, steeper cornea was a more common factor for progression as compared to increase in axial length, seen in 57.1% cases. Myopia progression in the growing age group is inversely correlated with time spent engaging in outdoor activity, on the other hand, it shares a strong positive correlation with time spent on indoor active near work. Corneal curvature plays a more significant role in progression of myopia as compared to axial length in younger age group.