An Eye Test that Sees Myopia Coming

Wednesday, April 15 2015 | 00 h 00 min | Vision Science

A simple eye test in first grade could predict the onset of myopia years in advance.

When American researchers conducted a study with 4,500 children aged 6 to 11, they found that 414 of them became myopic (nearsighted) between the ages of 7 and 13. Among the 13 risk factors in the study, the Ohio researchers found that the strongest single predictor of myopia was refractive error.

Children who grow up with normal vision are slightly farsighted at around 6 or 7 years old. However, those who become myopic by their early teens show no refractive error when they are around 6 or 7.

Taking such a test at this age could predict the onset on myopia a few years later, allowing parents to plan for eye testing schedules and glasses. It would also open up research avenues into therapies that could prevent the need for glasses altogether.

To learn more: http://archopht.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2206339