Recovery of peripheral refractive errors and ocular shape in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) with experimentally induced myopia

This study aimed to investigate the changes in ocular shape and relative peripheral refraction during the recovery from myopia produced by form deprivation (FD) and hyperopic defocus. FD was imposed in six monkeys by securing a diffuser lens over one eye; hyperopic defocus was produced in another six monkeys by fitting one eye with −3 D spectacle. When unrestricted vision was re-established, the treated eyes recovered from the vision-induced central and peripheral refractive errors. The recovery of peripheral refractive errors was associated with corresponding changes in the shape of the posterior globe. The results suggest that vision can actively regulate ocular shape and the development of central and peripheral refractions in infant primates.

► Vision-induce central myopia was associated with peripheral hyperopia in monkeys.
► Restoring unrestricted vision lead to the recovery of central and peripheral errors.
► Changes in ocular shape were responsible for the change in peripheral refraction.
► Eye shape is regulated by optical defocus.