Rate of Myopia Progression among Ethiopian Myopic Children: An Observational Cohort Study

Abstract

Objective: The study aims to determine the rate of myopia progression in children and its associated factors, from November 2021 to August 2023.

 Methodology: An observational cohort study was conducted at Saint Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC) on 66 children aged 6 to 15 years. Consecutive sampling technique was used. Data was collected with face-to-face interview using structured questionnaires and measurements were taken at the beginning of the study and one year after the initial examination. Data was entered and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 26. Rate of progression was determined by using paired sample student T- test. The factors associated with progression rate were explored using multivariable binary logistic regression. A P value < 0.05 was used to declare significance in the study.

Results: The mean difference in spherical equivalent between the last and the first visit of 66 children was - 0.41 Diopters (P < 0.001). Fast progression was shown in 18.2% of children; 28.8% showed moderate progression and 53% showed slow progression. Prolonged reading time (AOR = 5.00 (95% CI: 1.10, 25.00), P = 0.04)) and longer television watching time (AOR = 3.85 (95% CI:1.16, 12.50), P = 0.03) were factors associated with a moderate/fast rate of progression.

Conclusion: The mean change in spherical equivalent among myopic children after 1 year of follow up was – 0.41 Diopters. Longer reading time per day and longer time spent watching television were factors associated with higher risk of moderate to fast rate of myopia progression.