Has COVID-19 affected the clinical profile of newly diagnosed myopes in tertiary eye care centers? A multicentric study from India.

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic led to increase in near work and digital devices use among children mounting to increased development of myopia. Our study aimed to look for change in the incidence and clinical profile of newly diagnosed myopes who presented to six tertiary eye care centers in post-COVID period as compared to pre-COVID period.

Methods: A retrospective observational multicentric study was conducted in two periods: pre-COVID (February 2019-January 2020) and post-COVID (August 2021-July 2022). All newly diagnosed myopes aged ≤18 years with cycloplegic spherical equivalent (SE) ≤-0.5 D who presented to the hospital during study periods were included. Patients with simple myopic astigmatism were excluded. Demographic data and clinical parameters, including type and severity of myopia, were compared between the two periods.

Results: The study showed 937 newly diagnosed myopes in the pre-COVID and 1396 in the post-COVID period. The myopia incidence increased from 1.98% to 3.03% (P < 0.001). The gender distribution and mean age were comparable. There was a significant rise in myopia cases among children aged >5-≤10 years in the post-COVID period (P = 0.000). The average presenting SE was more myopic in the post-COVID period (P = 0.010). Moderate myopia showed a higher proportional increase in the age group >15-≤18 years, and severe myopia observed a higher proportional increase in the >5-≤10 years age group.

Conclusion: The study reflects a higher incidence and severity of myopia at presentation in the post-COVID period, mainly in children aged >5-≤10 years. It emphasizes the urgent need for interventions to mitigate the rising burden of myopia.