From the Guidelines
A change in vision from -0.75 to -1.25 in one year for a 28-year-old with previously stable vision is not highly unusual, though it does warrant attention. This represents a 0.50 diopter change, which falls within the range of normal fluctuation that can occur in adults 1. Several factors could explain this shift, including increased near work or screen time, environmental changes, stress, or normal age-related changes in the eye's focusing system.
Possible Causes and Considerations
- Increased near work or screen time: While the exact cause of myopia progression is multifactorial, recent evidence suggests that time outdoors is a significant factor in reducing myopia shift 1.
- Environmental changes: Changes in lifestyle or environment could contribute to the progression of myopia.
- Stress: Stress can affect the eye's focusing system, potentially leading to changes in vision.
- Normal age-related changes: Myopia typically stabilizes in early adulthood, but some individuals may continue to experience progression into their late twenties or early thirties 1.
Recommendations
- Comprehensive eye examination: To rule out any underlying conditions, a comprehensive eye examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist is recommended 1.
- Monitoring: Regular annual eye exams are recommended to monitor any further changes in the prescription.
- Myopia control strategies: If the change is part of a progressive pattern, specialized contact lenses or other myopia control strategies, such as topical antimuscarinic agents, multifocal contact lenses, or orthokeratology, may be considered 1.
From the Research
Vision Change Analysis
- The change in vision from -0.75 to -1.25 in a year for a 28-year-old, after being stable before, is not directly addressed in the provided studies.
- However, study 2 discusses the variation in macular retinal thickness in young myopic subjects, which may be relevant to understanding myopia progression.
- Study 3 examines the characteristics of optical coherence tomography (OCT) pictures in pathologic myopia, but does not provide information on the rate of myopia progression.
- Studies 4, 5, and 6 focus on different aspects of vision impairment and eye health, but do not provide direct evidence on the typical rate of myopia progression in young adults.
Myopia Progression
- There is no direct evidence in the provided studies to determine whether a vision change of -0.5 diopters in one year is unusual for a 28-year-old.
- Study 2 suggests that the average macular retinal thickness does not vary with myopia, but does not provide information on the rate of myopia progression.
- More research would be needed to determine the typical rate of myopia progression in young adults and whether a change of -0.5 diopters in one year is unusual.