Purpose: To compare macular retinal thickness (RT) and superficial vessel density (SVD), as well as optic disc region retinal thickness (Disc RT) and small vessel density, among emmetropic, low myopic, and moderate myopic children (7– 11 years) and adolescents (12– 20 years). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, participants were stratified by age group and refractive status: emmetropia (− 0.50 D to +0.50 D), low myopia (> − 3.0 D, < − 1.0 D), and moderate myopia (− 3.0 D to − 6.0 D). Macular RT (central fovea and parafoveal quadrants) and SVD were measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Peripapillary RT and small vessel density were also quantified. Results: The results showed that myopic eyes had thinner retinal thickness in the macular region than emmetropic eyes, especially in parafoveal areas. The superficial capillary vessel density in the macula was significantly reduced in myopic eyes compared to emmetropic eyes. Notably, in children (7– 11y) this reduction was most pronounced in the temporal parafoveal region, whereas in adolescents (12– 20y) the nasal parafoveal region showed greater vessel density reduction. In addition, in the children group with moderate myopia, the temporal peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) was thicker; however, this temporal difference disappeared in the adolescent group. Conclusion: Pediatric myopia is associated with macular thinning, reduced perfusion, and age-related differences in RNFL parameters. Structural and microvascular alterations appear to vary across pediatric stages, underscoring the importance of careful evaluation of both parafoveal and peripapillary regions for early detection and clinical monitoring of myopia-related changes. Plain Language Summary: Myopia is becoming more common in children and teenagers. When the eye grows longer, the retina – the light-sensing layer at the back of the eye – may slowly stretch, become thinner, and receive less blood flow. These early changes are important because they may increase the chance of eye problems later in life. We carried out this study to understand how the retina and its tiny blood vessels change in children and adolescents with different levels of myopia. We used optical coherence tomography to measure the thickness of the retina and the density of small blood vessels in the central area of vision and around the optic nerve. We found that children and teenagers with moderate myopia had thinner retinas and lower blood-vessel density than those with normal vision. Younger children showed the greatest changes on the outer side of the central retina, while older adolescents showed more changes on the inner side near the optic nerve. Children with moderate myopia also had a larger optic cup and a different pattern of nerve-fiber thickness compared with their peers. These findings show that myopia affects the eye differently at different ages. Understanding these patterns may help eye-care professionals identify early signs of strain on the retina and the optic nerve. Early detection may guide better monitoring and support for young people with myopia, helping to protect their vision as they grow. Keywords: pediatric myopia, macular retinal thickness, superficial vessel density, disc small vessel density, axial elongation
Wang et al. (Sun,) studied this question.