Currently, the only way to detect myopia progression is through repeated refraction and axial length measurements. The lack of a “rapid predictive index” hinders the ability to manage and even prevent the condition. A recent study has proposed that it is possible to detect myopia development at an earlier stage using choroidal blood perfusion as a biomarker.

The study evaluated previous research that reported changes in the choroid during myopia development. Many of these studies described reduced choroidal blood flow in patients with the condition.

From these results, the researchers note that it is plausible changes in choroidal thickness in myopia may result from reduced choroidal blood perfusion, which in turn may lead to scleral hypoxia and trigger downstream receptor-linked signaling pathway events that induce responses promoting myopia progression.

“Taken together, the above considerations prompt us to hypothesize that measurements of choroidal blood perfusion have the potential to provide a sensitive and ‘rapid predictive index’ of myopia onset,” the study authors concluded in their paper. “Further study is warranted to test the possibility that such measurements will make it possible to detect myopia development at an earlier stage than is currently possible in a clinical setting.”