Compensatory Interactions between Corneal and Internal Astigmatism despite Lifestyle Changes

Bibliographic Data

ID15718972
AuthorsYuanyuan Liang (0000-0003-0360-286X, Hong Kong Polytechnic University), Byung Soo Kang (0000-0003-2515-8536), Byung-Soo Kang (0000-0003-0039-2182, Hong Kong Polytechnic University), Chea‐su Kee (0000-0002-5177-129X, Hong Kong Polytechnic University), Tsz-Wing Leung (0000-0001-9588-2891, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume11
Issue2
Pages154-154
Publication date2024-01-25
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueChildren (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2227-9067 • E-ISSN: 2227-9067
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/children11020154
PMID38397266
OpenAlexW4391223339
LanguageEN
References cited41

This study explores whether children's refractive errors and visual behaviors reverted to pre-COVID-19 levels a year after normal schooling resumed in Hong Kong as well as the impact of corneal and internal astigmatism on refractive astigmatism development. Vision survey data and questionnaire results collected in 2022 ( n = 119) and 2020 ( n = 173) were compared. Cross-sectional data showed similar proportions of astigmatism (cylindrical power ≥ 0.75 D) in the 2020 (49.1%) and 2022 cohorts (55.5%). Despite a 0.28 D increase in corneal astigmatism, a compensatory 0.24 D increase in internal astigmatism of opposite direction kept refractive astigmatism relatively stable. The questionnaire data showed that children spent an additional 0.5 h/day outdoors on weekends post-resumption of normal schooling but engaged in more near-work activities, especially non-screen near-work, by approximately 1 h/day on both weekdays and weekends. These findings were supported by longitudinal data from 72 children who participated in both surveys. This study highlights the significant role of corneal and internal astigmatism in refractive astigmatism changes. Despite the return to in-person classes, children's total near-work time increased and astigmatism remained high. These findings underscore the need for comprehensive strategies to reduce the high environmental risks for refractive error development in children

Astigmatism · Optics · Physics · Refractive error · Visual acuity · Corneal surgery and disorders · Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders · Medicine · Ophthalmology and Visual Impairment Studies · Ophthalmology · Optometry

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