Progression of myopia, in a period of six months, in a population of children of age 6 to 10 years, patients of the Optometry Clinic of the Universidad de La Salle

Abstract

<em><strong>Objective</strong><em> To evaluate the progression of myopia, in a period of six months, in myopic children between ages 6 and 10. <em><strong>Materials and method</strong><em> A sample of 30 myopic children was selected, who underwent refraction under cycloplegia and keratometry, using Autorefractor Keratometer URK700. These tests were repeated after six months. The Wilcoxon test and Student’s t-test were used for statistical analysis. <em><strong>Results</strong><em> The general progression of myopia was –0.08 to –0.09 diopters, in a period of six months, with statistically significant values. Female children had a progression of –0.04 diopters, higher than males. The age group of 6 to 8 years had a progression of –0.07 to –0.09 diopters, higher than the age group of 9 to 10 years, values that are statistically, but not clinically, significant. The high myopia group had a greater progression: between –0.35 and –0.47 diopters, with statistically significant differences compared to low and medium myopia groups, which are clinically very important results. <em><strong>Conclusions</strong><em> This study shows that there was a progression in myopia in children of ages 6 to 10, over a period of six months. Female children showed greater progression than males, and high myopia had a greater progression than low and medium myopia. Therefore, it is essential to perform a complete eye exam at early ages, taking into account pathological eye conditions that generate high myopia, in order to face new optometric challenges regarding the control of myopia in children.