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A unifying theory of refractive error development

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Abstract

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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, 617 Bowser Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854-8014, USA

    George K. Hung

  2. Department of Vision Sciences, State College of Optometry, State University of New York, 33 West 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10036, USA

    Kenneth J. Ciuffreda

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Correspondence to George K. Hung.

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Hung, G.K., Ciuffreda, K.J. A unifying theory of refractive error development. Bull. Math. Biol. 62, 1087–1108 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1006/bulm.2000.0199

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