Prevalence and estimation of the evolution of myopia in Spanish children

Abstract Purpose: This study aims to analyze the myopia prevalence in Spanish children from five to seven years old over the last five years and to predict the rate of myopia in Spain by 2030. Methods: The sample consisted of children aged between 5 and 7, who underwent an optometric examination consisting of the measurement of visual acuity (VA) and determination of objective and subjective refraction. In addition, they completed a lifestyle questionnaire. The cut-off points to define the refractive error are established according to the spherical equivalent (SE) value as hyperopia, for SE over +0.50D, myopia, for SE under -0.50D, or emmetropia, when the SE is between -0.50D and +0.50D. Results: The myopia rate in Spanish children aged between five and seven was 19%. Myopia prevalence progressively increased as children grew up (p≤0.001). It is estimated that, in the year 2030, the rate of myopia will be 30.2% [CI: 25.3–35.0]. Of which 81.9% [CI: 78.3–85.3] will have low myopia, 10.0% [CI: 7.2–12.8] moderate myopia, and 7.3% [CI: 4.9–9.7] high myopia. Conclusion: Nineteen percent of Spanish children between five and seven are myopes. In 2030 is expected that 30.2% of Spanish children between 5 and 7 years of age will be myopes. These estimations will support eye care professionals in recommending children spend more time outdoors to prevent the onset of myopia and the use of methods to control myopia to avoid reaching these figures of high myopia.