Amplitude of Accommodation in Stable and Progressing Myopia

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether amplitude of accommodation differs in stable and progressing myopia. In this manner, amplitude of accommodation was tested to be a risk factor for myopia progression. Push-Up-Method, Minus-Lens-Blur-Method and objective Minus-Lens-Method were compared to be interchangeable techniques to determine the amplitude of accommodation.

Methods: Data of 86 young adults aged from 18 to 30 were analyzed in this cross sectional study. To determine objective values an open-field autorefractor (Grand Seiko WAM 5500) was used.

Results: Progressing myopes show significant lower objective amplitudes of accommodation than stable myopes (ANOVA, Post-Hoc: p<0.001). Higher levels of myopia progression are associated with lower Push-Up-Amplitudes (Two-sample-t-test: p=0.006). The three methods to determine the amplitude of accommodation are not interchangeable. No monotonic relationship was found between the level of the accommodative amplitude and the power of the ametropia (Spearman: |r|≤0.295; p≥0.114).

Conclusion: Amplitude of accommodation is a potential risk factor for myopia progression. Further research has to evaluate whether reduced accommodative amplitudes are a reason or rather a consequence of myopia progression.