To investigate the role of systemic inflammation in the development and progression of childhood myopia and the potential impact of systemic anti-inflammatory medications.
Approach:
Study Design: A retrospective chart review of patients aged 0-22 years evaluated at the University of Oklahoma Health Dean McGee Eye Institute and OU Health Children’s Physicians from 1997 to 2025.
Patient Groups: Three groups were compared: children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) or other chronic inflammatory diseases receiving systemic anti-inflammatory medications, children with similar conditions not receiving treatment, and age- and sex-matched control pa…
Data Analysis: Refractive development was assessed using cycloplegic refractions, and refractive error was analyzed using regression models and appropriate statistical tests.
Key Findings:
Children nine years and younger with untreated JIA were significantly more myopic than control subjects and treated patients.
Patients aged 10-22 receiving systemic anti-inflammatory therapy were significantly less myopic and more hyperopic than untreated controls.
Systemic anti-inflammatory therapy was associated with a slower rate of myopia progression (0.12 D/year) and delayed onset of myopia (17.51 years) compared to controls (0.23 D/year and 10.19 years).
Limitations:
Retrospective design.
Lack of family history and medication dosage information.
