Podcast

Nearsighted: Possible Connection Between COVID Lockdown and Increase in Childhood Myopia - Frankly Speaking EP 219Guest: Susan Feeney, DNP, FNP-BC, NP-C
Music Credit: Richard Onorato

The COVID pandemic and the precautionary changes in behavior put into practice are creating an immeasurable cost in ways that are still being identified – social isolation, stresses on mental health, as well as neglect of chronic disease management – to name a few. In a recent study out of China, it was found that 6, 7 and 8-year-olds had a significant increase in myopia associated with the lockdown and school closures. This level of myopia places these children at much greater risk of poor vision in adulthood. Join us as we discuss these findings and how they may impact prevention strategies and assessment parameters in children during and after the pandemic.

Episode resource links: 

• Klaver CCW, Polling JR, Enthoven CA. 2020 as the Year of Quarantine Myopia. JAMA Ophthalmol. Published online January 14, 2021. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2020.6231
• Wang J, Li Y, Musch DC, et al. Progression of Myopia in School-Aged Children After COVID-19 Home Confinement. JAMA Ophthalmol. Published online January 14, 2021. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2020.6239