IMI 2021 Yearly Digest

Abstract

Purpose The International Myopia Institute (IMI) Yearly Digest highlights new research considered to be of importance since the publication of the first series of IMI white papers. Methods A literature search was conducted for articles on myopia between 2019 and mid-2020 to inform definitions and classifications, experimental models, genetics, interventions, clinical trials, and clinical management. Conference abstracts from key meetings in the same period were also considered. Results One thousand articles on myopia have been published between 2019 and mid-2020. Key advances include the use of the definition of premyopia in studies currently under way to test interventions in myopia, new definitions in the field of pathologic myopia, the role of new pharmacologic treatments in experimental models such as intraocular pressure–lowering latanoprost, a large meta-analysis of refractive error identifying 336 new genetic loci, new clinical interventions such as the defocus incorporated multisegment spectacles and combination therapy with low-dose atropine and orthokeratology (OK), normative standards in refractive error, the ethical dilemma of a placebo control group when myopia control treatments are established, reporting the physical metric of myopia reduction versus a percentage reduction, comparison of the risk of pediatric OK wear with risk of vision impairment in myopia, the justification of preventing myopic and axial length increase versus quality of life, and future vision loss. Conclusions Large amounts of research in myopia have been published since the IMI 2019 white papers were released. The yearly digest serves to highlight the latest research and advances in myopia.

Topical Review: Studies on Management of Myopia Progression from 2019 to 2021

“…It is not known yet if there is value in treating pre-myopes (spherical equivalent refraction ≤+0.75 and >−0.50 D) where a combination of baseline refraction, age, and other quantifiable risk factors suggests the likely development of myopia 68 . However, a spherical equivalent refraction <+0.75 D at age 8 years was predictive of the onset of juvenile myopia (area under the curve, 0.88), and baseline spherical equivalent seems to be the best single predictor of onset of myopia (area under the curve, 0.87 to 0.93) 69,70 .…”

Impact of COVID-19 Home Confinement in Children’s Refractive Errors

“…Nevertheless, our study has also limitations. Although optometrists performed objective refraction, and the methodology for refraction is the same for the 2020 and 2019 samples, it was non-cycloplegic refraction, and SE might be overestimated [ 36 ]. Further, children’s lifestyles were measured through questionnaires completed by their legal guardians.…”

TikTok and adolescent vision health: Content and information quality assessment of the top short videos related to myopia

“…We also assessed video content quality focusing on misleading information and information coverage about myopia. Content was evaluated using a predefined scoring system based on works published by the International Myopia Institute in 2019 or 2021 ( 22 – 25 ), which were also the standards for characterizing misleading information. Myopia video content was classified into six aspects, namely, definition, symptoms, risk factors, evaluation, management, and outcomes of myopia (see Supplementary Table 1 ) ( 19 ).…”

“…Myopia video content was classified into six aspects, namely, definition, symptoms, risk factors, evaluation, management, and outcomes of myopia (see Supplementary Table 1 ) ( 19 ). The updated International Myopia Institute 2021 yearly digest was the main reference that represented the newest views of peer reviews ( 22 ). Diagnostic and risk content was compared with the 2019 IMI definition report and the 2021 risk factors guideline ( 23 , 24 ), and management was compared with the 2019 IMI white paper on myopia clinical management guideline ( 25 ).…”