Issue: October 2018
July 02, 2018
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Study finds inverse correlation between IOP, myopia progression

Issue: October 2018
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A 2-year study conducted on a large population of 12-year-old Chinese schoolchildren showed an inverse correlation between myopia progression and IOP.

Perspective from Derek MacDonald, OD, FAAO

The study retrospectively analyzed the data of the Anyang Childhood Eye Study , a prospective study on myopia development in Chinese schoolchildren, who were measured for cycloplegic refraction, axial length and IOP. A total of 1,558 children who completed the follow-up were included in the analysis.

Over 2 years, a mean change of spherical equivalent of -1.05 D was reported. Myopic children progressing by more than 1.0 D had a mean IOP of 15.94 mm Hg, while those progressing by less than 1.0 D had mean IOP of 16.42 mm Hg.

“That is, the mean IOP was lower in faster progressing eyes,” the authors noted.

The study was meant to explore a possible correlation between higher IOP and myopia development but, surprisingly, found that the opposite was true: Myopia progression was correlated with significantly lower IOP.

“Thus, our hypothesis is that IOP is not a casual factor for myopia progression in children, but that lower pressure in progressing myopic eyes is a direct consequence of their higher scleral compliance,” the authors wrote.

This hypothesis is substantiated by previous experiments in animal models, showing that myopia development in mammals is related to experimentally induced increased distensibility of the posterior sclera. According to the authors, it is possible that myopic children, who progress more rapidly during school years due to environmental pressure, have a greater scleral compliance than their emmetropic peers.

“Further research is needed in this area, because low scleral compliance could be a predictor of myopia progression,” they concluded. – by Michela Cimberle

Disclosure: None of the authors reported a relevant financial disclosure.