As a result of axial elongation, myopic eyes are subject to structural changes to the optic disc and retinal features. Taking advantage of this connection, researchers proposed a correlation between these features and the eyes’ prescription and length to predict the incidence and progression of myopia in children.

This retrospective analysis, presented as part of ARVO’s annual meeting online presentations, examined one-year longitudinal data from a two-year study that included the right eyes of 2,851 children, aged six to nine, 15.2% of whom had myopia. The researchers used swept-source OCT to obtain fundus images and 3D wide-scan images to create models to predict associations among optic disc and retinal features and one-year incidence of myopia (12.8%) and one-year progression of axial length greater than 0.5mm (14.5%).

The group found that myopia was related to several retina changes, including reduced fovea-to-disc distance, temporal RNFL thickness greater than nasal RNFL thickness, a smaller optic disc short axis and increased total tessellations, superior-temporal retinal artery angles and optic disc tilt.

Axial length progression was related to myopia at baseline, reduced fovea-to-disc distance, temporal RNFL thickness greater than nasal RNFL thickness and increased superior- and inferior-temporal retinal artery angles and optic disc tilt.

The authors concluded that, after validating studies, their models could help predict both incidence and progression of myopia in children.