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Human parallels to experimental myopia? A literature review on visual deprivation
Author(s) -
Fledelius Hans C.,
Goldschmidt Ernst,
Haargaard Birgitte,
Jensen Hanne
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/aos.12412
Subject(s) - parallels , optometry , blindness , psychology , medicine , engineering , mechanical engineering
Raviola and Wiesel's monkey eyelid suture studies of the 1970s laid the cornerstone for the experimental myopia science undertaken since then. The aim has been to clarify the basic humoral and neuronal mechanisms behind induced myopization, its eye tissue transmitters in particular. Besides acquiring new and basic knowledge, the practical object of the research is to reduce the burden of human myopia around the world. Acquisition and cost of optical correction is one issue, but associated morbidity counts more, with its global load of myopia‐associated visual loss and blindness. The object of the present PubMed literature‐based review is to evaluate apparent similarities between experience from disturbed imaging in experimental laboratory science and varieties within the spectrum of childhood human myopia. So far, the main impression is that macroscopical optical deprivation appears absent in the prevalent types of human myopia, nor is myopia a regular sequel where early eye pathology has led to poor imaging and optical deprivation. Optical aberrations of a higher order are a relatively new issue in myopia research, and microstructural deprivation is only marginally dealt within the survey. Links between experimental and human myopia appear mainly occasional, and with only few examples in humans where factual parallels appear credible. Clinical and epidemiological data on refraction remain important, in particular with a view to life style and environmental factors. Such knowledge may further serve as inspiration to the laboratory research, which aims at solving the basic enigmas on a tissue level.