Mathematical models of college myopia

Abstract

Experimental design phase of a pilot study at Annapolis is described, using reading glasses, +1.5 D. to +3.0 D. to alleviate college myopia. College students often become 1.0 to 2.0 diopters more myopic, so reading glasses were explored to partially cancel the effects of the study environment. N = 25 different sets of (+)Add lenses are evaluated, for required adjustment period and reading comfort. Three computer models are developed to predict refraction versus time. Basic control system equations predict exponential myopia shift of refractive state R(t) with time constant t0 = 100 days. Linear, exponential and Gompertz computer results are compared calculating refraction R(t) during the college years, showing correlation coefficients |r| = 0.96 to 0.97, accurate +/−0.31 D. over a 14 year interval. Typical college myopia rate is −0.3 to −0.4 D/yr. Reading glasses may be a simple, practical solution to stabilize college myopia.

Refraction data survey: 2nd generation correlation of myopia

“…Lin et al [4], N = 345 report myopia prevalence of 94-96 % for medical school students at graduation [5][6][7]. Note that correlation of various parameters between generations is not the same as heritability.…”

“…can have remarkably high myopia prevalence rates >94 % [4, 12], possibly suggesting an environmental effect. An exponential or linear response function can describe the longitudinal development of myopia, when uncorrected or corrected, respectively [6, 7, 13, 14, 15–17].…”

Refraction Data Survey, Ensemble & Time Series Statistics during Adolescence

“…Ray & O'Day [10] discuss the important problem of the statistical independence and correlation of left and right eye experimental data. Hung & Ciuffreda [11] present a very detailed analysis and review of accommodation control systems and the stabilizing effects of plus lenses in the range +1.0 to +3.0 diopters.…”

Theory and Experiments. (+) Add Reading Glasses to Prevent Myopia

“…It is clear that these two opinions will not be resolved in the immediate future by experiment, theory, or practice. The normal approach used in the fact of disputed evidence and unresolved opinions is to explain both approaches to the individualallowing him to make the inal decision regarding the use of myopia avoidance techniques [1][2][3][4][14][15][16][17]29].…”

“…Hung & Ciuffreda [11], develop IRDT, incremental retinal defocus, to explain myopia during the growth phase. Medina et al [12][13][14] and Greene & Medina [15][16][17][18], use control theory to explain myopia development, solved with digital and analog computer techniques to evaluate irst-order equations. Viikari [19] and Goldschmidt [20], present comprehensive reviews of juvenile myopia, and various techniques used to control this myopia progression.…”