J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2017 May;58(5):563-571. 10.3341/jkos.2017.58.5.563.

Long-term Changes in Refractive Error after Spectacle Use

• Yi MY
• Park SH

• KMID: 2378627
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2017.58.5.563

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the long-term changes in spherical equivalent (SE) refractive error and astigmatism in patients after spectacle use.
METHODS
A total of 103 patients with refractive error without strabismus and amblyopia who received at least 3 years of follow-up after using spectacles were included in this study. Patients were divided into groups according to the age at which spectacles were used (<4 years, ≥4 to <7 years, ≥7 years), the initial degree of SE refractive error (<−0.50 diopter [D], −0.50 to +0.75 D, >+0.75 D), and the initial degree of astigmatism (<1.00 D, 1.00 to 3.00 D, ≥ 3.00 D). Changes in the SE refractive error and astigmatism were compared between these groups using mixed linear models..
RESULTS
Patients were followed up for a mean of 9.1 ± 1.6 years. An overall negative shift in SE refractive error and an increasing tendency in astigmatism during follow-up were noted regardless of the age at which spectacles were used (p < 0.001). The myopic group showed the largest negative shift in SE and the largest increase in astigmatism (p < 0.001, p = 0.02 respectively). The low and moderate astigmatism groups were more likely to have significant increases in astigmatism (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Patients with refractive error showed a negative shift in SE and an increasing tendency in astigmatism regardless of the age at which spectacles were used. Changes in SE and astigmatism may be influenced by the initial degree of SE, and the initial degree of astigmatism may influence changes in astigmatism.

Keyword

Astigmatism; Refractive error; Spectacle use; Spherical equivalent

MeSH Terms

Amblyopia
Astigmatism
Eyeglasses
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Linear Models
Refractive Errors*
Strabismus

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 Boxplots showing changes of spherical equivalent (SE) refractive error according to the duration of time after the initiation of spectacle treatment. (A-C) Subjects are divided into 3 groups according to the age at which spectacles were used (A, children using spectacles at <4 years of age; B, children using spectacles between 4 and 7 years of age; C, children using spectacles at ≥7 years of age). (D) A regression model of these groups is also presented. D = diopter.

• 

  Figure 2 Boxplots showing changes of astigmatism according to the duration of time after the initiation of glasses treatment. (A-C) Subjects are divided into 3 groups according to the age at which spectacles were used (A, children using spectacles at <4 years of age; B, children using spectacles between 4 and 7 years of age; C, children using spectacles at ≥7 years of age). (D) A regression model of these groups is also presented. D = diopter.

• 

  Figure 3 Boxplots showing changes of spherical equivalent (SE) refractive error according to the duration of time after the initiation of spectacle treatment. (A-C) Subjects are divided into 3 groups according to the initial degree of SE (A, myopia group: eyes with an initial SE refractive error of <−0.50 D; B, emmetropia group: eyes with an initial SE refractive error of −0.50 to +0.75 D; C, hyperopia group: eyes with an initial SE refractive error of >+0.75 D). (D) A regression model of these groups is also presented. D = diopter.

• 

  Figure 4 Boxplots showing changes of astigmatism according to the duration of time after the initiation of spectacle treatment. (A-C) Subjects are divided into 3 groups according to the initial degree of spherical equivalent (SE) (A, myopia group: eyes with an initial SE refractive error of <−0.50 D; B, emmetropia group: eyes with an initial SE refractive error of −0.50 to +0.75 D; C, hyperopia group: eyes with an initial SE refractive error of >+0.75 D). (D) A regression model of these groups is also presented. D = diopter.

• 

  Figure 5 Boxplots showing changes of astigmatism according to the duration of time after the initiation of spectacle treatment. (A-C) Subjects are divided into 3 groups according to the initial degree of astigmatism (A, mild astigmatic group: eyes with an initial astigmatism of <1.00 D; B, moderate astigmatic group: eyes with an initial astigmatism of 1.00 to 3.00 D; C, severe astigmatic group: eyes with an initial astigmatism of ≥3.00 D). (D) A regression model of these groups is also presented. D = diopter.

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