Nearsighted: Possible Connection Between COVID Lockdown and Increase in Childhood Myopia - Frankly Speaking EP 219

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

Learning Objectives

  • Identify a potential correlation between COVID precautions and increasing rates of myopia in children between 6 to 8 years old
  • Discuss the recent evidence from a cross-sectional prospective study on quarantine-related myopia in Chinese children and its relevance to clinical care for children

Additional Information

Partner: 
Pri-Med Institute
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Course opens: 
04/12/2021
Course expires: 
04/12/2022
Rating: 
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Frank J. Domino, MD

Professor, Family Medicine and Community Health,
University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA

Susan Feeney, DNP, FNP-BC, NP-C

Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Family Nurse Practitioner Track
UMMS GSN

Pri-Med Institute is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Designation Statement

Pri-Med Institute designates this enduring material for a maximum of 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

For APRNs and PAs, AANPCB and NCCPA accept AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ as the number of hours of participation (AANPCB) or as Category 1 CME credits (NCCPA).

Available Credit

  • 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
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