Younger children with higher baseline levels of myopia are more likely to experience faster progression of myopia and eye growth, according to a study.
Researchers analyzed data from a 30-month clinical trial of 5- to 12-year-old children with moderate myopia, comparing effects of atropine 0.01% and a placebo. Both treatment groups were pooled due to similar outcomes.
Out of 187 participants, 94% completed the study. Key findings showed that younger age and higher levels of baseline myopia were linked to faster progression. Younger children experienced a mean refractive error change of -0.19 D for each year younger (95% CI, -0.25 to -0.14 D; P < 0.001), while higher initial myopia was also associated with greater progression (-0.14 D per diopter; P = 0.002). Similarly, axial length increased more in younger children (0.13 mm per year; P < 0.001) and those with higher baseline myopia (0.04 mm per diopter; P = 0.04).
Reference
Weise KK, Repka MX, Zhu Y, et al; Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group. Baseline factors associated with myopia progression and axial elongation over 30 months in children 5 to 12 years of age. Optom Vis Sci. 2024;101(10):619-626. doi: 10.1097/OPX.0000000000002187. PMID: 39480129.
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