Progressive myopia in children and strategies for myopia control: a review

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Abstract

Myopia is one of the most common ocular disorders in children and adolescents, and its progressive forms are becoming a global medical and social problem. The World Health Organization predicts that myopia will affect over 5 billion people by the middle of the 21st century. Interestingly, it develops most often in school-aged children. It is critical to study the mechanisms of its progression, including genetic predisposition, accommodative dysfunction, and scleral structural changes. This review presents current data from Russian and non-Russian studies of the pathogenesis and ocular morphology in myopia. Optical, pharmacological, and surgical strategies for myopia control are discussed. Biomechanical properties of the sclera and new technologies to improve them are reviewed. The role of prophylaxis is also summarized. An analysis of current strategies shows that effective management of progressive myopia is ensured only by a comprehensive interdisciplinary approach including clinical, experimental, social, and environmental measures. The article highlights that further multicenter studies are warranted to assess the long-term safety and effectiveness of the proposed strategies. The findings are useful to both researchers and clinicians treating children with myopia.

About the authors

Diana A. Timerbulatova

Bashkir State Medical University

Author for correspondence.
Email: timerbulatova-diana@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0003-4415-4124
SPIN-code: 9976-5862

Ufa Eye Research Institute, MD

Russian Federation, Ufa

Alia S. Faizullina

Bashkir State Medical University

Email: a.faizullina@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-3576-9322
SPIN-code: 4027-1916

Ufa Eye Research Institute, MD, Cand. Sci. (Medicine)

Russian Federation, Ufa

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