Prevention and management of childhood progressive myopia: National consensus guidelines

Abstract

Myopia is a major public health problem worldwide, including India, with the global prevalence of myopia increasing rapidly over decades. The clinical and socioeconomic impact of myopia is also expected to rise with rising prevalence. Therefore, the focus has now been shifted to prevent the incidence and progression of myopia. However, there is lack of any standardized guidelines for myopia management. This document aims to generate a national-level expert consensus statement on the management of childhood myopia in the Indian scenario. The expert panel of pediatric ophthalmologists consisted of 63 members who met in a hybrid meeting. A list of topics deliberating discussion in the meeting was provided to the experts in advance and they were instructed to provide their opinions on the matter during the meet. The panel of experts then gave their views on each of the items presented, deliberated on different aspects of childhood myopia, and reached a consensus regarding the practice patterns in the Indian scenario. In case of opposing views or lack of a clear consensus, we undertook further discussion and evaluated literature to help arrive at a consensus. A written document is prepared based on recommendations explaining definition of myopia, refraction techniques, components and methods of workup, initiation of anti-myopia treatment, type and timing of interventions, follow-up schedule, and indications for revised or combination treatment. This article formulates evidence-based guidelines for progressing myopes and pre-myopes and also establishes uniformity in the management of childhood myopia in the country.

Prospective cross-sectional study on visual health assessment in the pediatric population

“…This milestone document seeks to establish a unified expert consensus on managing childhood myopia in the Indian context. [25]…”

Potential causal associations between leisure sedentary behaviors, physical activity, sleep traits, and myopia: a Mendelian randomization study

“…Globally, myopia is the most common eye disease, with a prevalence of 22.9%. Its incidence is growing among young people, especially in Eastern and Southeast Asian countries, with 80–90% of their young people having myopia [ 1 , 2 ]. The prevalence of this eye disease is high in East and Southeast Asia, led by China as well as in Europe and the United States, where myopia rates are increasing each year [ 3 , 4 ].…”