The effect of home education on myopia progression in children during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objectives To evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on myopia progression (MP) in school age children. Methods A total of 115 children aged 8–17 years with a diagnosis of myopia who had been followed-up for at least three years, were included in this study with a retrospective and single-centre design. The subjects’ age, the history of myopia in the family, the time spent in front of a screen, the digital devices used during home education (computer, tablet, smartphone, television), the time spent in open air (hours/day), the refractive error (RE) (spherical equivalent value) detected before the home education period and the changes in the myopia over the years, were recorded. Results The mean age was 12.06 (±2.29) years. Only the right eyes were included. The glasses use duration was 3.57 (±0.74) years. The annual MP amount 0.49 (±0.26), 0.41 (±0.36) and 0.54 (±0.43) dioptres (D) for the 2017, 2018 and 2019 years before home education, respectively, ( p > 0.05), and 0.71 (±0.46) D in 2020, during home education. The increase in MP amount in 2020 compared to the 2019 and 2018 years was statistically significant ( p < 0.003). MP was statistically significantly less in children who participated in open-air activities for 2 h a day and those who lived in detached houses ( p = 0.004, p = 0.006, respectively). Conclusion During home confinement, education programmes of school children should be designed while taking into account preventive measures for MP, in particular for allowing children to spend at least 2 h of outdoor time per day.

Low‐intensity, long‐wavelength red light slows the progression of myopia in children: an Eastern China‐based cohort

“…pandemic, the myopia rate in primary and middle school students increased by 11.7% over a 6 month period in China (sohu.com/a/41512 7992_105067), while other countries also saw marked rises. [6][7][8][9][10] In particular, the results of a survey released by the Chinese Ministry of Education at the end of August 2020 highlighted the problem of myopia.…”

Digital device overuse during the COVID-19 pandemic and visual impairment among children: Is there a risk for long-term effects?

“…Myopia progression was statistically significant in 2020 compared to the previous three years and significantly less among children who spent 2h/day outdoor or lived in detached houses. Digital screen time and the type of device were not found to have a significant influence on myopia progression in this study (2). Erdinest et al published interesting research among 14 children who have been treated with 0.01% atropine solution for myopia control for two years ((March 2019 until March 2021).…”

“…The COVID-19 pandemic opened a new chapter in this field of research which can be very useful in evaluating whether and how excessive digital device usage affects the vision in children. There are more and more studies investigating digital device use in the time of COVID-19 and its correlation with visual impairment (1)(2)(3)(4). Also, many schools around the world have implemented digital devices and digital learning in their classrooms and this is only the phase of more radical usage of digitalization in the educational system.…”

Miopia E Os Danos Por Uso Excessivo De Telas Em Meio a Pandemia Do Covid -19: Revisão De Literatura

“…A progressão da miopia foi estatisticamente significativamente menor em crianças que participaram de atividades ao ar livre por 2 horas por dia e aquelas que moravam em casas independentes (p = 0,004, p = 0,006, respectivamente). 4 Em outro estudo realizado na China, observou-se que as crianças que usaram televisão e projetores tiveram significativamente menos alterações da miopia do que aquelas usando tablets e telefones celulares (P <0,001). Mais tempo gasto em telas digitais (β = 0,211, P <0,001), mas não menos tempo em atividades ao ar livre (β = -0,106, P = 0,110), foi associado a maior progressão da miopia.…”