Longitudinal Changes in Spherical Equivalent of Moderate to High Hyperopia: 2- to 8-Year Follow-Up of Children at an Initial Age of 5.5 to 8.4 Years

Purpose: Moderate to high hyperopia is associated with visual deficits. Currently, to our knowledge no study has reported its longitudinal refraction change in a large sample of schoolchildren. We investigated the longitudinal changes in spherical equivalent (SE) refractive error among schoolchildren with moderate to high hyperopia. Methods: Medical records of patients seeking refractions at Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center between 2009 and 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. Eligible criteria included hyperopia ≥+2.00 diopters (D) at an initial age of 6 to 8 years, at least three visits, and at least a 2-year follow-up. Individual pattern of refraction development was evaluated based on the mean rate of change in SE. Mixed-effect regression analysis was used to explore factors associated with the rate of change. Results: A total of 1769 cases were identified. Median initial age was 6.4 (interquartile range [IQR], 5.9 to 7.1) years and median age at the final visit was 10.1 (IQR, 8.9 to 11.5) years. Median initial SE was +3.13 (IQR, +2.38 to +5.25) D. On average, participants experienced a myopic shift of -0.35 ± 0.27 D/year. A considerable number of eyes (721, 40.8%) demonstrated a longitudinal change of less than ±0.25 D/year and approximately 1 of 3 (611/1769) eyes demonstrated a change of >-0.50 and ≤-0.25 D/year. Children with greater initial hyperopia (β = -0.02, P < 0.001) experienced significantly faster reduction in hyperopic refraction. Age and sex had statistically significant but clinically insignificant impacts on the rate of hyperopia reduction. Conclusions: Variation exists in the refraction development of schoolchildren with moderate to high hyperopia. A considerable percentage of eyes demonstrates longitudinally stable refraction.