Hoya Highlights the Impact Rural vs Urban Living Environments May Have On Myopia In Young Children

Hoya Vision Care announced the results of a 5-year epidemiological study conducted in Scotland exploring the correlations between myopia, socio-economic deprivation, and urban or rural dwellings in young children. The study, which reviewed refractive error data from eye examinations in children aged 3.5 to 5.5 years, revealed a marked increase in the proportion of children with myopia following the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a Hoya news release.

The study, which analyzed 5,000 to 7,000 cases annually, covered data from 3 years pre-pandemic and 2 years post-pandemic [1]. It was presented at the International Myopia Conference (IMC) in Sanya, China, during the Free Paper session on risk factors.

“Our study identified a strong association between children living in flats or apartments and the development of myopia. However, we found no significant correlation between myopia and socio-economic deprivation," said Dr. Miriam Conway, principal investigator of the study. "This suggests that home confinement and increased screen time during the pandemic may have contributed to the rise in myopia cases among young children.”

The research, conducted in a predominantly Caucasian population, adds to the growing body of evidence that myopia rates in children have increased post-pandemic, likely influenced by prolonged indoor activities and excessive use of electronic devices. Myopia progresses faster in children under 12, and if left untreated, it can lead to future complications such as glaucoma, cataracts, retinal detachment, or myopic macular degeneration.

References

1. Conway, M. Increasing myopia and associations with deprivation and rural/urban environments in children aged 3.5-5.5 years in Scotland. Presented 25th Sep, IMC 2024. Free paper 3: Risk Factors