An eight-year follow up study tracking Chinese patients with high myopia has concluded that rapid progression trajectory of axial elongation is associated with a higher risk of poorer visual outcomes.
In this cohort study, participants in the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Centre–Brien Holden Vision Institute high myopia cohort were followed up every other year for eight years.
Participants with axial length measurements at baseline (2011 or 2012) and at least one follow-up visit were included.
Participants were grouped according to baseline age as children and adolescents (seven to <18 years), young adults (18 to <40 years), and older adults (≥40 to 70 years).
the rapid progression trajectory was associated with a 6.92 times higher risk of developing pathological myopic macular degeneration
The findings of this eight-year follow-up study suggest that axial length in high myopia continues to increase from childhood to late adulthood following three distinct trajectories.
Cluster analysis identified these trajectories, as stable, moderate, and rapid progression with mean axial elongation rates of 0.02 mm/y (95% CI, 0.01-0.02 mm/y), 0.12 mm/y (95% CI, 0.11-0.13 mm/y), and 0.38 mm/y (95% CI, 0.35-0.42 mm/y), respectively.
At eight years of follow-up, the rapid progression trajectory was associated with a 6.92 times higher risk of developing pathological myopic macular degeneration, when compared with the stable progression trajectory. The rapid progression trajectory was also associated with a 0.032 logMAR decrease in best-corrected visual acuity.
The study authors noted that the distinct axial elongation trajectories could prove valuable for early identification and intervention for high-risk individuals.
The results of the original investigation were published in JAMA Ophthalmology online.
Reference
- Zhang, S., Chen, Y., Li, Z., et al. Axial elongation trajectories in Chinese children and adults with high myopia. JAMA Ophthalmol. Published online 28 December 2023. DOI:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2023.5835.
