Aim: To evaluate the dynamic ocular biometric changes of a modified form-deprivation myopia model in young guinea pigs.
Methods: THE ANIMALS WERE RANDOMLY ASSIGNED TO TWO GROUPS: the monocularly deprived facemask group (MDF, with all the right eyes covered, n=24) and the normal control group (free of facemask, n=24). Each group was then equally divided into four subgroups which were followed up for 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks, respectively. Parameters measured from every eye included refraction, corneal curvature, axial length and the dry weight of sclera at the posterior pole.
Results: All the facemasks remained in place during the follow-up. The covered eyes developed myopia with the vitreous chamber lengthening and the dry weight of posterior sclera reduced at each time point compared with the contralateral uncovered (P<0.05 at all time points). The changes had a linear correlation with the deprivation time (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in all the parameters between the uncovered eyes of MDF group and the normal control group (P>0.05 at all time points).
Conclusion: Monocular form deprivation with the facemask is highly effective and non-invasive in inducing axial myopia in guinea pigs. The axial myopia is mainly caused by the increased vitreous chamber length and the weakened posterior sclera rigidity. The form-deprivation eye didn't interfere with the natural development of the contralateral eye.
Keywords: dynamic change; form-deprivation; guinea pig; myopia model.