PURPOSE. Experimental manipulations of visual experience are known to affec
t the growth of the eye and the development of refractive state in a variet
y of species including human and nonhuman primates. For example, it is well
established that visual form deprivation causes elongation of the eye and
myopia. The effects of such manipulations have generally been examined in n
eonatal or juvenile animals. Whether adolescent common marmosets (a new wor
ld primate) are susceptible to form deprivation myopia was studied.
METHODS. Five adolescent marmosets were used in this study. Monocular form
deprivation was induced by lid closure for 12 to 20 weeks, starting between
299 and 315 days of age. The effects of deprivation were assessed with ker
atometry, A-scan ultrasonography, and cycloplegic refractions. Both eyes (t
reated and fellow control);were measured before lid-closure, at the end of
the deprivation period, and several times over the following 8 to 12 weeks.
RESULTS. Adolescent marmosets are susceptible to visual form deprivation my
opia. The experimental eyes showed significant axial elongation and myopia
relative to the fellow control eyes. These changes were smaller, however, t
han those observed in younger eyes deprived for comparable periods. Like ju
venile animals, the adolescent marmosets did not show recovery from myopia
over the period monitored.
CONCLUSIONS. The period for susceptibility to form deprivation myopia in th
e marmoset monkey extends beyond the early developmental period when ocular
growth is rapid and emmetropization normally takes place. Visual form depr
ivation in adolescent marmosets with adult-sized eyes results in increased
ocular growth and myopia. These data suggest that visual factors may influe
nce the growth and refractive development of the human eye after puberty an
d may be involved in late-onset myopia.