A study by the Vision, Optometry and Health (VOS) research group at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia - BarcelonaTech (UPC), linked to the Faculty of Optics and Optometry of Terrassa (FOOT), reveals longitudinal data on children's visual health. The CISVIT project, initiated in 2021 with over 2,500 participants, provides epidemiological information on refractive errors.
The research focuses on children aged 8 to 12, a critical period for myopia development. Prevalence increases with age, rising from 12.3% at 8-9 years old to 17.1% after one year, and reaching 28.7% after three years of follow-up. The average annual worsening of refraction is 0.29 diopters.
The study also identifies differences based on gender and ethnicity. Girls show faster ocular growth progression, constituting a risk group. Non-Caucasian children (primarily of North African or Latin American origin) exhibit a greater initial axial length, although their ocular growth pattern is similar to Caucasians.
Researcher Laura Guisasola explains that it's possible to anticipate myopia by measuring the eye's axial length growth, which occurs before myopia is detectable in diopters. High-risk indicators include low hyperopia and greater axial length at age 8.
It is estimated that by 2050, nearly half of the world's population will be myopic. Environmental and behavioral factors, such as prolonged screen use and family history, influence myopia development. Low parental socioeconomic status is also associated with increased risk.
Spending more time outdoors and sleeping more hours are associated with a lower risk. Researcher Núria Vila highlights these as accessible prevention tools for families and schools, recommending their consideration in public health policies.
The CISViT project (2021-2026) collects data from children in Terrassa and contributes to the debate on pediatric screening. The research group proposes including preventive eye growth checks and habit analysis in pediatric check-ups.
The study is conducted at the University Center of Vision (CUV) in Terrassa, a pioneer in service-learning, where approximately 170 students train annually. The project is part of the Consortium of Refractive Error and Myopia in Children (CREAM-Kids).
