AIM

To characterize peripheral refraction and its relationship with myopia development in a selected group of male teenage Chinese students.

METHODS

This 2-year prospective cohort study randomly enrolled 85 non-myopic boys (age, 14-16y) from the Experimental Class of Air Force in China. Cycloplegic peripheral refraction was examined at 0°, ±10°, and ±20° along the horizontal visual field in the right eye at the baseline and 2-year follow-up.

RESULTS

The incidence of myopia at the 2-year follow-up was 15.29% (13/85). The baseline central refraction (CR) and peripheral refraction at ±10° were significantly lower in students who developed myopia than in those who did not (<0.05). Relative peripheral refraction (RPR) did not differ between students with and without myopia (>0.05). At the 2-year follow-up, the RPR at ±10° and 20° nasal was significantly more hyperopic in the myopic group than in the non-myopic group. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the change in CR was significantly correlated with the changes in RPR at 20° nasal, 10° nasal, and 20° temporal. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that the baseline CR [odds ratio (OR): 0.092, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.012-0.688, =0.020] and the baseline RPR at 10° nasal (OR: 0.182, 95%CI: 0.042-0.799, =0.024) were significantly correlated with incident myopia (Omnibus test, =10.20, =0.006).

CONCLUSION

CR change is significantly correlated with changes in RPR, and students who develop myopia have more relative peripheral hyperopia. More baseline CR and relative peripheral hyperopia at 10° nasal are protective of myopia onset.