The effect of home education on myopia progression in children during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objectives To evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on myopia progression (MP) in school age children. Methods A total of 115 children aged 8-17 years with a diagnosis of myopia who had been followed-up for at least three years, were included in this study with a retrospective and single-centre design. The subjects' age, the history of myopia in the family, the time spent in front of a screen, the digital devices used during home education (computer, tablet, smartphone, television), the time spent in open air (hours/day), the refractive error (RE) (spherical equivalent value) detected before the home education period and the changes in the myopia over the years, were recorded. Results The mean age was 12.06 (+/- 2.29) years. Only the right eyes were included. The glasses use duration was 3.57 (+/- 0.74) years. The annual MP amount 0.49 (+/- 0.26), 0.41 (+/- 0.36) and 0.54 (+/- 0.43) dioptres (D) for the 2017, 2018 and 2019 years before home education, respectively, (p > 0.05), and 0.71 (+/- 0.46) D in 2020, during home education. The increase in MP amount in 2020 compared to the 2019 and 2018 years was statistically significant (p < 0.003). MP was statistically significantly less in children who participated in open-air activities for 2 h a day and those who lived in detached houses (p = 0.004, p = 0.006, respectively). Conclusion During home confinement, education programmes of school children should be designed while taking into account preventive measures for MP, in particular for allowing children to spend at least 2 h of outdoor time per day.

Automated summary

The study evaluated the impact of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on myopia progression in school age children. Results showed a statistically significant increase in myopia progression during home education in 2020 compared to previous years, emphasizing the importance of outdoor activities and living environment in preventing myopia progression.