Astigmatism Up After COVID Restrictions
Researchers identified delayed corneal changes in schoolchildren that emerged after myopia rates had already increased during the pandemic.
By
Kathryn Wighton
May 12, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Astigmatism Up After COVID Restrictions
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Astigmatism in children Key Mechanisms Delayed increases in refractive and corneal astigmatism post-COVID restrictions due to prolonged near work and reduced outdoor time. Target Population Hong Kong schoolchildren aged 6 to 8 years Care Setting Academic medical centers
Key Highlights
Refractive astigmatism prevalence increased from 25% in 2020 to 35% in 2022-2023. Corneal astigmatism prevalence increased from 59% in 2020 to 65% in 2022-2023. Mean refractive astigmatism magnitude rose from 0.70 diopters in 2020 to 0.87 diopters in 2022-2023. Prolonged digital device use and reduced outdoor activity linked to astigmatism changes. Study highlights the need for pediatric eye surveillance post-pandemic. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Use cycloplegic autorefraction and optical biometry for accurate assessment. Management
Monitor changes in astigmatism and consider environmental factors influencing ocular health. Monitoring & Follow-up
Regular eye examinations for children, especially post-pandemic. Risks
Increased odds of refractive and corneal astigmatism associated with pandemic restrictions. Patient & Prescribing Data
Children aged 6 to 8 years in Hong Kong.
Consideration of parental astigmatism history and environmental factors in management.
Clinical Best Practices
Encourage outdoor activities to mitigate astigmatism risk. Educate families on the impact of screen time and near work on eye health. Implement regular screening protocols for early detection of astigmatism. References
