A new study reported in the British Journal of Ophthalmology shows myopia progression in a group of Chinese school children monitored over two years was inversely related to intraocular pressure (IOP), suggesting that IOP had essentially no relationship with myopia progression in school children.

A total of 1558 grade seven students completed the two-year study (the Anyang Childhood Eye Study) during which ocular biometry, cycloplegic refractions and pneumotonometry were measured. The data was retrospectively analysed but, contrary to expectations, found that myopia progression was correlated with significantly lower IOP.  The study’s authors say the lower IOP in progressing myopic eyes may indicate more compliant sclerae and that further research is needed.