COVID-19: Home Quarantine Linked to Increase in Myopia Among Younger Children

By Amy Orciari Herman

Edited by André Sofair, MD, MPH

Home quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a significant increase in the prevalence of myopia among young school-aged children, researchers report in JAMA Ophthalmology.

Nearly 125,000 children in China underwent school-based photoscreening up to six times from 2015 through 2020. From 2015 through 2019, the prevalence of myopia was relatively stable. In June 2020, however, it rose significantly among children ages 6 to 8 years. For example, the prevalence among 6-year-olds increased from 6% in 2019 to 22% in 2020. Similar increases were not observed among those aged 9 to 13 years.

The researchers note, "Younger children's refractive status may be more sensitive to environmental changes than older children, given [that] younger individuals are in an important period for the development of myopia." They add, "If home confinement is necessary, parents should control the children's screen time as much as possible and increase the allowable outdoor activity while maintaining safe social distancing."

In other COVID-19 news, World Health Organization officials have finally arrived in Wuhan, China, to investigate the source of SARS-CoV-2 — more than a year after the virus first emerged there — the New York Times reports. The story details obstacles the team faces as it begins its investigation. It's worth a read.