A comparative investigation of changes in the refractive status of children pre- and post-Covid-19 outbreak

Abstract Background Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, heightened reliance on electronic devices and reduced engagement in outdoor activities among students have contributed to a surge in both the frequency and intensity of myopia. This study aimed to examine changes in students’ refraction status pre- and post-COVID-19 at a school located in Xuzhou, China. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate changes in spherical equivalent (SE), astigmatism, and myopia incidence among adolescents aged 5 to 17 years from a school in Tongshan District, Xuzhou City. Vision screenings were carried out for three consecutive years before the COVID-19 outbreak (December 2018 and 2019) and after the outbreak (December 2020). T-tests and analysis of variance were employed to assess alterations in SE and astigmatism pre- versus post-outbreak. Furthermore, comparisons were made between gender and the prevalence of myopia, as well as incidence rates before versus after the epidemic. Results The study unveiled an elevation in spherical equivalent (SE) values among children aged 5 to 8 years and those aged 13 to 17 years subsequent to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, while SE remained constant among children aged 9 to 12 years. There was a marked increase in astigmatism severity during the pandemic period compared with pre-pandemic levels. Furthermore, there was a substantial surge in myopia incidence rates during COVID-19 within two age brackets (5–8 years old; 13–17 years old) when contrasted with pre-outbreak rates. The development and progression of myopia were determined to be independent of gender. Conclusions In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the combination of home isolation measures and online classes has led to an accelerated increase in myopia and astigmatism among adolescents and children, particularly evident within the 5 to 8 age group. This issue demands attention and calls for the implementation of measures to protect visual health among young children.