A unifying theory of refractive error development.
While retinal defocus is believed to be myopigenic in nature, the underlying mechanism has remained elusive. We recently constructed a theory of refractive error development to investigate its fundamental properties. Our Incremental Retinal-Defocus Theory is based on the principle that the change in retinal-defocus magnitude during an increment of genetically-programmed ocular growth provides the requisite sign for the appropriate alteration in subsequent environmentally-induced ocular growth. This theory was tested under five experimental conditions: lenses, diffusers, occlusion, crystalline lens removal, and prolonged nearwork. Predictions of the theory were consistent with previous animal and human experimental findings. In addition, simulations using a MATLAB/SIMULINK model supported our theory by demonstrating quantitatively the appropriate directional changes in ocular growth rate. Thus, our Incremental Retinal-Defocus Theory provides a simple and logical unifying concept underlying the mechanism for the development of refractive error.
Hung
G K
GK
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, 617 Bowser Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8014, USA. shoane@rci.rutgers.edu
Ciuffreda
K J
KJ
D003198:Computer Simulation; D003315:Cornea / Q000254:growth & development; D005123:Eye / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000473:pathology; D008954:Models, Biological; D009216:Myopia / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D012029:Refraction, Ocular / Q000502:physiology*; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D012160:Retina / Q000502:physiology