Myopia progression in school children with prolonged screen time during the coronavirus disease confinement.
Med Hypothesis Discov Innov Ophthalmol
; 12(2): 90-97, 2023.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38357611
ABSTRACT
Background:
Myopia, the most common refractive error, is a global public health problem with substantial visual impairment if left untreated. Several studies have investigated the association between increased near-work and restricted outdoor activities in children with myopia; however, such studies in children without myopia are scarce. We aimed to monitor the effect of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) home confinement and mandatory virtual learning on myopic progression among myopic and non-myopic school-aged children.Methods:
We conducted a retrospective chart review of children aged 6 - 12 years attending regular visits to the pediatric ophthalmology clinic in a tertiary eye hospital in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. Cycloplegic refraction was determined from three visits at least six months apart two visits before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and one during the COVID-19 home confinement. Parents were asked about the time spent in near-work and outdoor activities, the devices used during virtual learning, and the demographic characteristics of the children. Statistical analyses were conducted to compare myopia progression before and during the COVID-19 home confinement.Results:
A total of 160 eyes of 80 children were analyzed. The boy (nâ =â 46) to girl (nâ =â 34) ratio was 1.41. The hyperopia (nâ =â 131 eyes) to myopia (nâ =â 29 eyes) ratio was 4.51. Most eyes exhibited a hyperopic shift before the confinement; however, all eyes displayed a myopic shift during the confinement. When comparing both eyes of the same individual, the more myopic or less hyperopic eye in the same child had a significantly greater myopic shift than the fellow eye (both Pâ <â 0.05). Children who used tablets showed a significant myopic shift (Pâ <â 0.05). Likewise, children in both age categories (â ≤â 8 andâ >â 8 years), boys, those living in an apartment, and those having parents with bachelor's degrees experienced a significant myopic shift during COVID-19 home confinement compared to before (all Pâ <â 0.05). The mean myopic shift was greater in children agedâ >â 8 years than in those agedâ ≤â 8 years. Children with and without a family history of myopia had a myopic shift in the mean spherical equivalent during COVID-19 home confinement; however, that of children with no family history was statistically significant (Pâ <â 0.05).Conclusions:
Progression of myopia accelerated in children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Excessive time spent on digital screen devices at near distances is considered a substantial environmental contributor to myopic shift in children. Further multicenter studies with extended follow-up periods are needed to assess the factors contributing to myopic progression in our population.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Tipo de estudo:
Clinical_trials
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Med Hypothesis Discov Innov Ophthalmol
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Arábia Saudita