An analysis of high myopia in a pediatric population less than 10 years of age.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to document a comprehensive clinical profile-including the prevalence of amblyopia, strabismus, and anisometropia-of a pediatric population less than 10 years of age who manifested 6.00 diopters or more of myopia.

METHOD: A retrospective record review was performed on all pediatric patients less than 10 years of age, examined at the State University of New York (SUNY) State College of Optometry between 1998 and 2001, and with a spherical equivalent of 6.00 diopters or more of myopia.

RESULTS: One hundred seventy-eight patients met the criteria. Amblyopia or reduced corrected visual acuity was present in 75.8% of the patients. Strabismus was present in 31.5% of the patients, with essentially equal numbers of esotropes and exotropes. Anisometropia was present in 35.4% of the patients. One hundred forty-five patients had high myopia in the absence of significant ocular or systemic compromising conditions. In this sample of 145, strabismus or anisometropia was an etiology for amblyopia. There was a greater prevalence of bilateral high myopia (64.8%) than unilateral high myopia. Anisometropia was present in 10.6% of the bilateral high myopes, and 78.4% of the unilateral high myopes.

CONCLUSION: Children less than 10 years of age with high myopia have a high risk of having amblyopia, strabismus, and anisometropia.