Adult onset myopia--oculometric features.

Adult onset myopia was investigated by ultrasound eye measurements and keratometry in 33 subjects (16 females, 17 males; age 32-62 years; age at myopia onset 18-50 years, mean value 26.2 years, SD 7.80). They were compared with 30 subjects (15 females, 15 males; age 29-62 years) with myopia onset age 4-16 years (mean value 11.1 years, SD 2.89). Excluded were subjects with cataract and corneal pathology. In the adult onset group, myopia ranged a little lower than in early onset myopia (mean values -3.24 and -4.91 D, respectively), but high myopia was encountered in both groups (peak values -10 and -10.5 D). In both groups axial elongation was the main oculometric event. There was no evidence of a corneal/lenticular background in adult onset myopia. In accord with the higher myopia in the early onset group the eyes were also larger (as for axial and vitreous length, mid lens depth) than in those of adult onset. Adult onset myopia being axial of nature, the findings confirm what has been suggested from recent reports by other authors: that the eye has a potential for re-starting growth, even years after the presumed normal ocular growth arrest during early teenage years.