Young adults with high myopia at risk of continued axial elongation, study finds

Axial elongation continues in young adults with non-pathologic high myopia, with key risk factors being longer baseline axial length, younger age, axial asymmetry, and being female. The use of anti-glaucoma medications may significantly slow this elongation, offering a potential protective treatment option.

A recent prospective cohort study investigated the progression patterns and risk factors associated with axial elongation in young adults suffering from non-pathologic high myopia. The study included 1043 eyes from 563 participants, all of whom had an axial length (AL) of at least 26 mm and no severe retinal damage.

The research, which analyzed over 5300 AL measurements, found that the average annual axial elongation was 0.03 mm per year. Varying degrees of elongation were observed: 11.7% of eyes experienced severe elongation (>0.1 mm/year), 20.2% had moderate elongation (0.05-0.09 mm/year), 40% showed mild elongation (0-0.049 mm/year), and 28.1% exhibited no elongation.

Key risk factors contributing to axial elongation included a baseline AL of 28 mm or more, age under 40, axial asymmetry, and female gender. Conversely, the use of anti-glaucoma medications was found to significantly slow the progression of axial elongation, reducing it by 75%.

Reference
Kong K, Jiang J, Wang P, et al; Glaucoma Suspects with High Myopia Study Group. Progression Patterns and Risk Factors of Axial Elongation in Young Adults with Non-Pathologic High Myopia: Three-year Large Longitudinal Cohort Follow-up. Am J Ophthalmol. 2024;S0002-9394(24)00359-3. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2024.08.006. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39128551.