A population-based study of 21,655 Hong Kong schoolchildren has revealed a delayed increase in refractive and corneal astigmatism following the COVID-19 restrictions. Unlike myopia, which surged during the pandemic, astigmatism rates were stable in 2020 but began to rise in 2021 as restrictions eased. Researchers attribute this unusual trajectory to the cumulative corneal exposure required for astigmatism to develop. The study highlights potential implications for pediatric eye care and the importance of understanding astigmatism in a post-pandemic context.
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