Children receiving long-term systemic anti-inflammatory therapy showed slower myopia progression than untreated children, according to a retrospective study presented at this year’s Association for Research in Vision Ophthalmology meeting in Denver.

The study reviewed charts from children and young adults aged 0–22 years who were treated for conditions including juvenile idiopathic arthritis, lupus erythematosus and ankylosing spondylitis. Their refractive development was compared with that of age-matched controls without these conditions who underwent routine eye exams.

Investigators analysed records from 154 patients across 318 visits, using cycloplegic refractions to calculate spherical equivalent. Myopia progressed faster in the control group than in those receiving anti-inflammatory treatment, at -0.24D a year compared with -0.11D a year, the researchers reported.

Estimated myopia onset also occurred later in treated patients – close to 17 years of age versus 10 years in controls. Average refractive error was similar between groups in children aged zero to nine years.

The researchers said the findings support earlier lab work indicating inflammatory pathways may play a role in myopia development. They recommended further studies to determine whether the timing and duration of treatment influence myopia progression and to identify which anti-inflammatory agents might help – potentially including topical formulations.