Today's Noteworthy Abstracts of International Myopia Conference Presentations

Researchers in the field of myopia management from across the globe have gathered in Hainan Island, China, for the International Myopia Conference this week. Here are some of the select noteworthy abstracts of the research and results that were presented today:

Which is the Most Critical for Myopia Development: Reading Modality, Text Size, or Illumination?

Dr. Sayantan Biswas, Ms. Umaymah Jagot, Ms. Amisha Johal, Ms. Kymran Hairan, Ms. Esha Ali, Prof. Leon N. Davies, Prof. Nicola Logan

Purpose: To evaluate the interaction between near-work parameters (reading modality, text size) and illumination (indoor lighting) on axial length (AL) and choroidal thinning in young adults.

Conclusions: Exposure to mild or moderate intensity illumination can differentially induce a significant reduction in AL elongation and choroidal thinning in young emmetropic adults compared to myopes, suggesting differences in light responses between emmetropic and myopic eyes. The findings support the hypothesis that light exposure is a non-invasive method to prevent myopia development but might not effectively reduce progression in myopic eyes. This underscores the importance of considering factors such as refractive status when designing interventions to mitigate the effects of near work using light exposure.

Why Does Near Work Cause Myopia and How Might We Intervene Optically?

Rachel Langan, James A. Kuchenbecker, Dragos Rezeanu, Maureen Neitz, Jay Neitz

Rachel Langan presented at the 19th International Myopia Conference in Hainan Island.

Purpose: Although controversial, it seems clear that near work is a causal factor for myopia. Diffusion Optics Technology (DOT) lenses are a myopia control design based on contrast theory shown to be effective in clinical trials. DOT lenses are proposed to mitigate the myopiagenic effects of near work by mimicking natural contrast. This study aims to test the hypothesis that near work causes myopia because high-contrast images from screens and reading drive the activity of peripheral midget bipolar cells excessively, signaling eye growth. In turn, the activity is proposed to be reduced by DOT lenses to levels like those produced by natural stimuli.

Conclusions: The results are consistent with the hypothesis that near work causes myopia because high contrast images from screens and reading excessively drive the activity of peripheral midget bipolar cells, which signal axial elongation.

Optimizing Early Detection of Pre-Myopia and Myopia in Young Children: Effective Non-Cycloplegic Screening Methods

Dr. Siofra Harrington, Dr. Michael Moore, Professor James Loughman, Professor Ian Flitcroft, Dr. Veronica O 'Dwyer

Purpose: Pre-myopia, characterized by less hyperopic refraction than typical for 6 - 7-year-olds, significantly increases the risk of developing myopia by age 10. This condition is becoming more prevalent in younger Asian and Caucasian children. While myopia management technologies exist, early identification of children at risk for myopia or premyopia is crucial. However, there is limited research on effective screening methods for premyopia. This study aimed to establish effective non-cycloplegic screening methods for premyopia in 6 - 7-year olds.

Conclusions: While uncorrected distance vision acuity (UDVA) alone provides acceptable discrimination for myopia, it is insufficient for screening pre-myopia. Non-cycloplegic spherical equivalent (SE) alone has relatively poor discrimination for pre-myopia, but its accuracy improves when combined with ocular biometry. The best results for myopia discrimination are achieved by combining non-cycloplegic SE, biometry, and UDVA measures.

Myopia: Causes, Prevention, and Treatment of an Increasingly Common Disease

Machelle Pardue, Jeremy Guggenheim

Machelle Pardue presents 'Myopia: Causes, Prevention, and Treatment of an Increasingly Common Disease' at the International Myopia Conference.

Purpose: The United States National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will release a consensus study report in September 2024 that will consider various aspects related to the global increase in myopia. The goals of the study are to assess the current mechanistic understanding of myopia pathogenesis and causes of its increased prevalence, to identify knowledge gaps and barriers to progress, and to develop a research agenda aimed at better understanding the biological and environmental factors that could explain its increasing incidence.

Prevalence and Temporal Trends of Childhood Myopia and High Myopia in China: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis with Projects From 2020 to 2050

Wei Pan, Zhikuan Yang, Seang-mei Saw, Tien-yin Wong, Ian Morgan, Weizhong Lan

Purpose: Previous research by Holden et al. tried to address prevalence and temporal trends globally, however, there are some doubts about the methodology of this paper, and there are also doubts about the accuracy of their baseline prevalence estimates. The aim of this study is to set the baseline for childhood myopia and high myopia prevalence, determined with cycloplegia in China for the period 2010-2019, and assess the temporal trends of myopia from 2020 to 2050, and the potential impact of myopia prevention and control.

Conclusions: This study suggested an increasing burden for individuals and society if current trends of myopia prevalence continue, and the burden is even greater with maximal near-work intensity. Optimistically, the minimum growth model based on the experience of myopia prevention in Taiwan, suggests that substantial reductions in the prevalence of myopia and high myopia can be achieved by increasing time outdoors, one of the initiatives in China' s Myopia Prevention policy, and reductions in education loads of the kind expected from China' s Double Reductions policy could add significantly to these reductions. Monitoring future changes could provide valuable information for other countries faced with an epidemic of myopia.

For more information on the International Myopia Conference, click here.