Knowledge and Awareness of Myopia Among Parents and Teachers of Schoolchildren Aged 6-15 Years in Beirut, Lebanon.

Few studies have investigated the prevalence of myopia in Northwest China. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of myopia and high myopia in adults aged 40–80 years in the Han and Yugur populations living in Gansu Province, Northwest China. A total of 3,845 participants were included. The overall age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of myopia (spherical equivalent (SE) < −0.5 D), high myopia (SE < −6.0 D) and hyperopia (SE > + 0.5 D) were 16.4%, 0.7% and 26.2% in Yugur participants, respectively, and 34.3%, 5.0% and 19.2% in Han participants, respectively. The prevalence of myopia and high myopia in Han participants was significantly higher than that in Yugur participants (both P < 0.001). Yugur population, birth in rural areas, smoking history and outdoor work were found to be negatively associated with myopia. Higher education level and a family history of myopia were found to be positively associated with myopia in the study population. High myopia was negatively associated with Yugur population, aging, birth in rural areas and was positively associated with a family history of myopia. This study provided valuable information regarding the environmental risk factors of myopia and revealed an ethnic disparity in the prevalence of myopia in Gansu Province, Northwest China.

ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between sports and the prevalence of myopia in young sports-related groups in Tianjin, China.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, a cluster sampling method was used to survey professional athletes in Tianjin, students at Tianjin University of Sport, and Tianjin Vocational College of Sports. All participants completed epidemiological questionnaires and ophthalmic examinations. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to explore the potential risk factors of myopia.ResultsThis study recruited 1401 participants. The prevalence of myopia was 50.18%. The prevalence of low, moderate, and high myopia were 52.63%, 37.41%, and 9.96%, respectively. There were no sex-related differences in the prevalence of myopia. The odds of having myopia was 1.788 times higher in the indoor sports group than the outdoor sports group (the adjusted odds ratio [OR], 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.391–2.297). Training time of more than 4 h/d (4–6 h/d: OR, 0.539; 95% CI, 0.310–0.938; >6 h/d: OR, 0.466; 95% CI, 0.257–0.844) resulted in a lower risk of myopia. Participants who often used the electronic screen (OR, 1.406; 95% CI, 1.028–1.923) and/or had a family history of myopia (OR, 2.022; 95% CI, 1.480–2.763) were more likely to suffer from myopia.ConclusionsOutdoor sports do not necessarily guarantee to insulate against myopia. Youngsters engaged in outdoor sports had a lower prevalence of myopia than those participating in indoor sports. Electronic screen use, training time, and family history of myopia were also associated with the prevalence of myopia in young sports-related groups.

Association of Intraocular Pressure and Myopia in Children

BackgroundChildhood myopia has become a global public health problem and is growing rapidly in incidence, especially in East Asia. This study examined the prevention and control of myopia in children by systematically evaluating the interaction between genetic factors and visual behaviors to optimize prevention strategies.MethodsRelevant articles were screened from PubMed and Web of Science. The search period was from January 2000 to January 2024. Inclusion criteria were children aged 6–18 years with clear stratification into intervention groups (receiving specific measures: health education, ≥1 hour daily outdoor activity, optical correction, or 0.01% atropine) and control groups (receiving routine care or no intervention). Both groups were matched for age (±1 year), baseline refractive error (within 0.50 D), and family history of myopia. Including health education, behavior adjustment, outdoor activities, clinically and research-proven interventions for myopia progression delay (including optical interventions such as frame glasses and orthokeratology, and pharmacological interventions such as low-concentration atropine). Outcome indicators included incidence of myopia, change in refractive power (D), and change in axial length (mm). Data were analyzed via RevMan 5.4 (Cochrane) and Stata 16 (StataCorp), and the effects of interventions were assessed using a random-effects model. This article defines the terms randomized controlled trials (RCTs), standardized mean difference (SMD), relative risk (RR), and confidence interval (CI).ResultsTwelve high-quality studies that examined the intervention effects of multiple genetic factors and visual behavior were ultimately included, with a total sample of 6,342 cases. The results showed that interventions significantly slowed myopia progression in the genetic high-risk group compared to its control, though the absolute effect remained weaker than in the general population, especially in terms of changes in refractive power (diopters, D) and axial length (millimeters, mm) (SMD =−0.32; 95% CI: −0.5 to −0.13). Among the interventions, health education and outdoor activities were the most effective for myopia prevention and control, with a reduction in the incidence of myopia of approximately 12% (myopia incidence rate =0.88; 95% CI: 0.81–0.96). Adherence to intervention was closely related to the effect of intervention, and the group with higher adherence experienced better control of myopia progression.ConclusionsGenetic factors and visual behavior have significant effects on the prevention and control of myopia in children. The prevention and control of myopia among genetic high-risk population are significantly improved after the application of health education and outdoor activity plan interventions. Improving the compliance of intervention is the key factor to enhancing the effect of childhood intervention. This meta-analysis provides a scientific basis for the optimization of childhood intervention strategies for the prevention and control of myopia in children.

To evaluate the impact of Compound Tropicamide (Trop) Eye Drops on the visual quality in juvenile pseudomyopia patients. Data from 111 juvenile pseudomyopia patients treated between September 2019 and September 2022 were reviewed in this retrospective study, including 50 cases treated with Atropine Sulfate Ophthalmic Gel (control group) and 61 with Compound Trop Eye Drops (research group). Clinical efficacy, amplitude of accommodation (AA), uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), axial length (AL), symptom improvement, complications, and quality of life were compared. Risk factors for visual quality improvement were analyzed using Logistic regression. The research group demonstrated significantly higher treatment efficacy compared to the control group (P>0.05). Post-treatment, AA, IOP, and AL decreased notably in the research group compared to baseline and the control group (all P<0.05). UCVA and quality of life scores improved significantly in the research group (both P<0.05). Recovery indicators, including resolution of dizziness, alleviation of ocular soreness, and vision recovery, were significantly shorter in the research group (all P<0.05). Both groups had similar complication rates, including dry mouth, facial blushing, conjunctival congestion, and transient tachycardia (P>0.05). The research group reported superior post-treatment quality of life across all domains (all P<0.05). Logistic regression showed that gender, age, disease duration, family history of myopia, education level, AA, UCVA, and treatment method were not significant risk factors for visual quality improvement (all P>0.05). Compound Trop Eye Drops effectively enhances visual function and quality of life in juvenile pseudomyopia patients, with a safety profile comparable to low-dose atropine, offering potential clinical value.

Clinical Relevance: This study serves as a tool for optometrists and ophthalmologists to reinforce adherence to several preventive factors, which may decrease the incidence of myopia, and avoidance of risk factors by multiple means including education during hospital visits. It also provides insight into who should be screened and tailored screening programs for children.Background: While studies assessing the prevalence of myopia in Saudi Arabia have contradicting results, only a few studies have evaluated the risk factors of myopia and the effect of using electronic devices on its occurrence. Thus, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of myopia and associated risk factors, among children attending an ophthalmology clinic in King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 182 patients aged < 14 years were selected using convenient sampling. Direct assessment of the refraction was performed in the clinic, and a questionnaire was completed by the child's parent.Results: Of 182 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 40.7% had myopia. Myopia was more common in boys (56.8%) than in girls (43.2%), with a median age of 8.7 years. Using multivariate regression analysis, only age (eight years and above) (OR=2.15, CI=1.12-4.12, P= 0.03), and family history of myopia (OR= 5.83, CI= 2.82-12.05, P= 0.001) were significant predictors of myopia in children. Other variables (e.g., sex, and use of laptops, computers, smartphones/tablets, or TV) were not statistically significant.Conclusions: This study did not show a statistically significant association between using electronic devices and the onset and progression of myopia among children. Studies with a larger sample size are required to further investigate this association and assess other potential risk factors.

BackgroundParasitic zoonoses are infections transmitted between vertebrate animals and humans, posing serious public health risks and significant economic consequences. The study aimed at assessing government workers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding zoonotic parasites of pet animals in Ethiopia's central Gondar zone.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out in selected towns of Central Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia from January 2022 to August 2022. Four hundred randomly selected government employees participated in the study. Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaire administered by face-to-face interview. The chi-squared (χ2) was calculated for association and p-value less than 0.05 was considered as significant.ResultsA 57.25% of respondents were males and 42.75% were females. Most of the respondents, 67.5%, had completed college/university education. About 60% of the respondents had 'high knowledge', 57.25% had 'positive attitude', and 73% had 'good practice' regarding pet animals as a source of zoonotic parasites. The chi-square analysis revealed a significant discrepancy (p < 0.05) between knowledge with sex, educational level, and position in the house. The attitude level was significantly associated (p < 0.05) with educational level, religious view, and service year. Significant association was also observed (p < 0.05) between practice level of the respondents and educational level and marital status. The study also showed a significant association between knowledge and attitude (χ2 = 40.4, p ≤ 0.001), knowledge and practice (χ2 = 34.9, p ≤ 0.001), and attitude and practice (χ2 = 12.76, p = 0.013) of the respondents.ConclusionAlthough our results revealed that more than half of the participants had good knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding zoonotic parasites of pet animals, enhanced routine hygienic practices and regular awareness creation programs are recommended to bridge existing gaps.

Objective: To determine the correlation between smart phone usage and outdoor activities in the development of myopia. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology, Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpindi, from December 2021 to November 2022. A total of 200 eyes from 100 myopic patients of either gender between 4 – 16 years of age were included. Complete ophthalmic examination was carried out along with measurements of the height, weight, and axial length of each patient. Data was recorded on the time spent daily on smart phones and in outdoor activities, along with school grade, family history of myopia, dietary habits, indoor activity time, after-school study hours and sleep time. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 was used to analyse the data. Results: The 100 patients included 65 males and 35 females with a mean age of 11.52 ± 7.43 years. Mean outdoor activity was 34.1 minutes per day while mean daily smart phone usage was 151.90 minutes per day. A positive significant linear correlation was established between daily smart phone usage and refractive error (r=0.386 p= 0.000) whilst a non-significant moderate inverse correlation between the time spent in outdoor activities and refractive error was found (r= -0.114 p=0.258) Conclusion: The prevalence of myopia is increasing in modern times, owing in part to extensive screen time and near work. Time spent outdoors offers some degree of protective role in prevention of myopia.

Aim: Maternal oral health significantly influences both maternal and fetal outcomes, yet awareness and preventive practices remain suboptimal in many regions. This study was aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding oral health among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 300 pregnant women using a structured, pre-validated questionnaire covering demographic data and KAP items. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and cross-tabulations were used to analyze associations between sociodemographic variables and KAP components. Results: Among the participants, 62% demonstrated moderate knowledge, 70% had a positive attitude, but only 40% reported good oral health practices. Educational level and prior dental visits were significantly associated with higher knowledge and better practices (P &lt; 0.05). While the majority acknowledged the importance of oral health during pregnancy, routine dental visits were uncommon due to fear, cost, or lack of awareness. No multivariate analysis was performed to adjust for confounders. Conclusion: Despite a generally positive attitude, knowledge and practice regarding oral health among pregnant women remain inadequate. Integration of oral health education into antenatal care services and targeted interventions for high-risk groups are essential to improve maternal and child oral health outcomes.

Purpose. A retrospective study was developed to evaluate risk factors in adult-onset myopia. Methods. Subjects included were 25 to 35 years old. There were 116 non-myopic subjects in the control group and 66 myopic subjects with first lens prescription at age 17 or later. Subjects received a questionnaire about academic achievement, daily hours of reading during years of study, and family history of myopia. Results. The level of academic achievement was similar for myopic and non-myopic groups in this sample. Myopia was associated with family history (? 2 = 6.131, p = 0.013) and with daily hours of reading during years of study (? 2 = 3.904, p = 0.048). According to multiple logistic regression analysis, the correlation of myopia with family history adjusted for daily hours of reading remained significant (p = 0.005), whereas the correlation with daily hours of reading adjusted for family history was not significant (p = 0.061). Conclusions. After multivariate analysis, adult-onset myopia was significantly associated only with family history of myopia.

National estimate and associated factors of myopia among schoolchildren in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of myopia in children in Jinhua City, and analysis the influence of the related factors on children's myopia. Finally, to provide evidence for the prevention and control of myopia. Methods Cross sectional study. A total of 13,569 students were selected in 10 schools: 3 kindergartens, 6 primary schools, 1 middle schools. The student's distant visual acuity, refraction, writing hand position, height and weight were detected by technician. SPSS17.0 used for statistical analysis. Results The rate of poor visual acuity of different eyes and sex increased with grade, and the female was more than the male. The uncorrected visual acuity was major more than 4.8 before the second grade, accounted for more than 90%; After second grade, the uncorrected visual acuity at the 4.5~ 4.7 and 4.0~ 4.4, all more than 20%, especially at the 4.0~ 4.4, third year of middle school up to 51.3%. The rate of myopia with different eyes and different sex increased with the increase of grade, the right eye was higher than that of the left eye, and the female was higher than the male. With the increase in the number of parents suffering from myopia, the uncorrected visual acuity decreased, the spherical lens and astigmatism increased. Height, weight and BMI were low correlation with the prevalence of myopia, and the prevalence rate of myopia in low weight students was low. Uncorrected visual acuity in the writing hand position errors students was lower than that of the correct posture of students, the negative of the spherical and astigmatic to higher than the correct posture of students. Conclusions The tendency of myopia of children in this area is obvious, therefore, we should strengthen the prevention and treatment of myopia; Family history of myopia, writing hand posture, height and weight has influence on children's myopia. Key words: Children's myopia; Prevalence rate of myopia; Family history

This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude of Jordanian radiographers toward Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), in addition to exploring factors associated with their knowledge and attitude. This was a cross-sectional study. Convenience sampling was used to collect data from 359 radiographers currently working at governmental, university, military, and private hospitals across the country. Data were collected using an online Google form questionnaire between October 5, 2023 and December 27, 2023. The questionnaire included questions about demographic information, knowledge of CPR, and attitude toward performing CPR. The data were analyzed using SPSS IBM software v. 28, and P-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. A total of 359 radiographers with a mean age of 31.71±8.22 years participated in the study. More than half of the sample were male (198, 55.2%) compared to 161 (44.8%) females. The mean scores for knowledge of CPR and attitude toward CPR were 5.74 ± 2.31 out of 10 and 3.94 ± 0.46 out of 5, respectively. Radiographers who received CPR training demonstrated significantly higher mean knowledge scores compared to those who did not receive CPR training (M=6.51±2.14, vs M=4.73±2.14, P<0.001). A correlation was observed between the age and knowledge of CPR (r=0.157, P=0.003), work experience and knowledge of CPR (r=0.177, P<0.001), and knowledge and attitude toward CPR (r=0.326, P<0.001), whereas no statistically significant differences were observed between male and female radiographers' knowledge (P≥0.05) and attitude (P≥0.05) toward CPR. Radiographers had poor knowledge of CPR. However, there was a positive attitude toward CPR. Previous CPR training and educational level were significantly associated with higher knowledge and positive attitudes toward CPR, whereas radiographers' age and work experience were significantly associated with higher knowledge. Therefore, continuous CPR training is recommended to increase radiographers' knowledge of CPR.

BackgroundTo determine the prevalence and associated factors for myopia and high myopia among older population in a rural community in Eastern China.MethodsA community-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted in the Weitang town located in Suzhou, an urban metropolis in East China. A total of 5613 Chinese residents aged 60 years and older were invited to complete a questionnaire and participated in a detailed eye examination,including measurements of visual acuity and refractive error using autorefraction and subjective refraction. Myopia and high myopia was defined as SE < −0.5 diopters (D) and < −5.0 D, respectively.ResultsAmong the 5613 participating individuals, 4795 (85.4%) complete refraction data of phakic right eye was included for analysis. The age-adjusted prevalence was 21.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 19.9-22.2) for myopia and 2.5% (95% CI, 2.1-2.9) for high myopia. The prevalence of myopia tended to increase significantly with age(p < 0.001),and women had a higher rate of myopia than men (p < 0.001). According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, adults who were older (odds ration[OR]:1.05; 95% CI:1.04-1.07), spent more time for sleeping at night (OR:1.12;95% CI: 1.06-1.18),or had cataract (OR:1.60;95% CI:1.36-1.88) and family history of myopia (OR:1.47;95% CI:1.23-1.77), are more susceptible to myopia (p < 0.001). People who had older age, family history, cataract and specially longer night-time sleep duration, would have a higher risk of myopia.ConclusionMyopia and high myopia among rural old adult population in Eastern China presents common. The current literature unanticipated suggests that there was a positive significant association between prevalence of myopia and night-time sleep duration among adult. Our data provide some evidence of this relationship and highlight the need for larger studies to further investigate this relationship longitudinally and explore mechanism therein.

Introduction: The National Myopia Prevention and Control Workgroup was set up to review current scientific evidence, to review the National Myopia Prevention Programme (NMPP) and to recommend strategies to the Ministry of Health. Methods: A Medline search was conducted to identify relevant articles. Workgroup members met with representatives from Health Promo tion Board, Ministry of Education and several world-renowned myopia researchers. Results: Near work contributes to myopia development. Greater time outdoors significantly lowers the risk of myopia. Breastfeeding may be protective. Family history of myopia and higher IQ were associated with development of new myopia (level II evidence). Other risk factors such as PAX 6 genes, higher educational level, prematurity, Chinese race, female gender and socioeconomic status were significantly associated with myopia (level III evidence). There is no evidence to support the use of commercial products for retardation of myopia progression. Topical atropine is effective in slowing myopia progression. The NMPP overpromotes use of vision breaks with little emphasis on outdoor activity. Conclusions: Further research with better quantification of near work is recommended. The role of vision breaks should be de-emphasised. There should be more emphasis on outdoor play and stricter regulation of commercial devices. Atropine is recommended only in cases of rapid myopia progression or high, progressive myopia. The frequency of vision screening can be reduced. Future research efforts should focus on specific risk factors, reassessment of selected programmes and new treatment options. Reading material summarising the workgroup’s findings can be distributed.