Astigmatism and the development of myopia in children

While it is now established that astigmatism is more prevalent in infants a nd young children than in the adult population, little is known about the f unctional significance of this astigmatism, especially its role, if any, in emmetropization and the development of myopia. Manifest refractions (mean of 16 per subject) were obtained from 245 subjects starting in the first ye ar, with 6-23 years of regular follow-up. Results showed that infantile ast igmatism is associated with increased astigmatism and myopia during the sch ool years. Two possible mechanisms underlying this association are discusse d: (1) infantile astigmatism disrupts focusing mechanisms; and (2) ocular g rowth induces astigmatism and myopia. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All ri ghts reserved.