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Background: In recent decades, myopia has turned into a public health issue across the world. Between 1993 and 2016, the percentage of myopes increased from 10.4% to 34.2%. This study aims to analyze the myopia prevalence in Spanish children from five to seven years old over the last five years and to predict the rate of myopia in Spain by 2030. Methods: The sample consisted of children aged between 5 and 7, who underwent an optometric examination consisting of the measurement of visual acuity (VA) and determination of objective and subjective refraction. The cut-off points to define refractive error are established by the spherical equivalent (SE) value: hyperopia for an SE over or equal to +0.50 D; myopia for an SE under or equal to −0.50 D; and emmetropia when the SE is between −0.50 D and +0.50 D. Results: The myopia rate in Spanish children aged between five and seven was 19%. Myopia prevalence progressively increased as children grew up (p ≤ 0.001). It is estimated that, in the year 2030, the rate of myopia will be 30.2% [CI: 25.3–35.0], of which 81.9% [CI: 78.3–85.3] will have low myopia, 10.0% [CI: 7.2–12.8] moderate myopia, and 7.3% [CI: 4.9–9.7] high myopia. Conclusions: Nineteen percent of Spanish children between five and seven are myopes. In 2030, is expected that 30.2% of Spanish children between 5 and 7 years of age will be myopes. These estimations will support eye care professionals in recommending that children spend more time outdoors to prevent the onset of myopia and the use of methods to control myopia to avoid reaching these figures of high myopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To analyse the prevalence of myopia among a sample of more than 6000 children in Spain as well as to determine the impact of risk factors in its progression. Methodology. A total of 6,152 children aged from 5 to 7 were examined. The participants underwent an eye examination that included visual acuity, refraction without cycloplegia, and tests of accommodative and binocular function. In addition, a questionnaire regarding their lifestyle, family history, and geographical data was carried out. Finally, data were analysed using the SPSS version 25 program. Results. The prevalence of myopia in the sample of children studied has increased from 17% in 2016 to 20% in 2017. Likewise, the number of children with high myopia has also increased, from 1.7% in 2016 to 3.6% in 2017. 43.3% of the participants spent more than 3 hours a day doing near activities, and 48.9% of this group spent more than 50% of this time using electronic devices. In addition, only 9.7% spent more than 2.5 hours outdoors each day. Conclusion. Myopia prevalence appears to be increasing in Spain. Lifestyle factors appear to be increasing the risk of myopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To evaluate how soft lens power affects rigid gas-permeable (RGP) lens power and visual acuity (VA) in piggyback fittings for keratoconus. Methods Sixteen keratoconus subjects (30 eyes) were included in the study. Piggyback contact lens fittings combining Senofilcon-A soft lenses of −6.00, −3.00, +3.00 and +6.00 D with Rose K2 RGP contact lenses were performed. Corneal topography was taken on the naked eye and over each soft contact lens before fitting RGP lenses. Mean central keratometry, over-refraction, RGP back optic zone radius (BOZR) and estimated final power as well as VA were recorded and analyzed. Results In comparison to the naked eye, the mean central keratometry flattened with both negative lens powers ( p < 0.05 in all cases), did not change with the +3.00 soft lens power ( p = 1.0); and steepened with the +6.00 soft lens power ( p = 0.02). Rigid gas-permeable over-refraction did not change significantly between different soft lens powers (all p > 0.05). RGP's BOZR decreased significantly with both positive in comparison with both negative soft lens powers (all p < 0.001), but no significant differences were found among negative- or positive-powers separately (both p > 0.05). Estimated RGP's final power increased significantly with positive in comparison with negative lens powers (all p < 0.001), but no significant differences were found among negative or positive lens powers separately (both p > 0.05). Visual acuity did not change significantly between the different soft lens powers assessed (all p > 0.05). Conclusion The use of negative-powered soft lenses in piggyback fitting reduces RGP lens power without impacting VA in keratoconus subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess long-term intraocular straylight changes induced by corneal refractive therapy (CRT) and to determine whether these changes persist after cessation of CRT lens wear. Methods: A single-center, prospective, longitudinal study was performed in 22 subjects (group 1) undergoing overnight corneal refractive therapy for 1 year. Ten right eyes of 10 subjects (group 2) with emmetropia served as controls. In each subject, high contrast visual acuity (HCVA), manifest refraction and intraocular straylight were determined at several time points during treatment and 1 month after discontinuing treatment. Straylight was measured using the van den Berg straylight meter (third generation). EDTRS charts (logMAR units) were used to assess HCVA. For both groups, only data for the right eyes were analyzed. Results: Straylight (mean±standard deviation) significantly fell from baseline (0.98±0.13) to values recorded after 1 month (0.88±0.13, p =0.011), 3 months (0.88±0.13, p =0.004), 6 months (0.88±0.13, p =0.000) and 12 months (0.76±0.12, p =0.003) of treatment. One month after discontinuing CRT lens wear, straylight was still significantly lower than baseline (0.89±0.13, p =0.003). No correlations were observed between intraocular straylight and HCVA. Conclusions: Good refractive outcomes and reductions in straylight were observed in response to corneal refractive therapy for myopia. The reduction in straylight observed after discontinuing CRT warrents further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]