Juvenile Myopia. Predicting the Progression Rate.

Abstract

Regression plots are generated showing the strong correlation of myopia onset age with its progression rate, r = -0.77, p<0.0025, and strong correlation of accumulated myopia 5 years after onset, r = -0.78, p < 0.001. Theory is confirmed, with all subjects showing excellent correlation coefficients, = -0.971, p < 0.005. Myopia progression rates vary from 0.2 to 1.0 diopters (D) per year from one individual to the next. Age of onset for myopia is 10.6 yrs. +/-5.4 yrs. Initial refraction at onset is -1.14 D +/-0.55 D. Practical applications of this work include delaying correction for myopes, and juvenile susceptibility to myopia at various age levels. Feedback Theory predicts the results.