Myopia Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Myopia, including details on treatment, prevention, causes, correction.

Post-cycloplegia myopic shift in an older population.

Toh T, Kearns LS, Scotter LW, Mackey DA

The Eye Hospital, Launceston, Australia.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate that use of a mydriatic agent remains a significant confounder in autorefraction of the presbyopic population. METHODS: The pre- and post-cycloplegic autorefraction results of 37 subjects over 50 years of age were measured using a Humphrey-598 autorefractor. The results of both eyes were included in a multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: The average age of the patient sample was 63.4 years. The mean spherical equivalent (SEQ) shifts for the hyperopic, myopic, pseudophakic, and emmetropic eyes were -0.53 D (95% CI -0.77 D to -0.39 D; p < 0.001), -0.38 D (95%CI -0.81 D to +0.04 D; p = 0.077), -0.49 D (95% CI -0.78 D to -0.20 D; p = 0.001), and -0.35 D (95% CI -0.59 D to -0.11 D; p = 0.004), respectively. CONCLUSION: Cyclopleged autorefraction in the presbyopic population is associated with a myopic shift that can potentially lead to overestimation of myopic prevalence. This is an important factor in comparing population studies where cyclogleged autorefraction is used in contrast to non-cyclopleged autorefraction and subjective refraction.

Published 22 July 2005 in Ophthalmic Epidemiol, 12(3): 215-9.
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