Abstract
Importance: Because of the high prevalence of myopia in Taiwan, understanding the risk factors for its development and progression is important to public health. Background: This study investigated the risk factors for myopia and their influence on the progression of myopia in schoolchildren in Taiwan. Design: Patients’ clinical records were obtained retrospectively from ophthalmologists. Questionnaires were given to collect demographic information, family background, hours spent on daily activities, myopia progression, and treatment methods. Participants: From a regional medical hospital in northern Taiwan, 522 schoolchildren with myopia participated in the study. Written informed consent was obtained from participants of legal age or the parents or legal guardians of younger children. Methods: Multivariable regression analyses were performed. Myopia measured in cycloplegic spherical equivalent (SE) was analysed, controlling for patients’ family and demographic information as well as their daily activity behaviours. Main Outcome Results: Children with high myopic parents were more myopic. Earlier onset age of myopia was associated with a higher level of myopia and greater annual myopic progression. Children reporting longer time usage of electronic devices had greater progression of myopia. Boys tended to be more myopic than girls. Lower levels of myopia were associated with more outdoor activities, and better vision care knowledge in children and parents. Conclusions and Relevance: In addition to genetics, education and environment can influence the development of myopia. Health policies for schoolchildren should promote protective activities and vision care knowledge at a young age, to protect the eyesight of schoolchildren.
Highlights
Myopia is a highly prevalent disease throughout the world
We investigated the environmental and lifestyle factors associated with myopia progression in schoolchildren regularly followed at our outpatient clinic in a regional medical hospital in Northern Taiwan
22.56% of the sampled patients went to private school, which is considered to be more demanding in terms of behavioral discipline
Summary
Myopia is a highly prevalent disease throughout the world. High myopia is often associated with vision debilitating diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, maculopathy, and retinal detachment [1,2,3].Myopia-associated maculopathy is reported as a leading cause of irreversible blindness in many countries [4,5,6,7,8,9]. Myopia is a highly prevalent disease throughout the world. High myopia is often associated with vision debilitating diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, maculopathy, and retinal detachment [1,2,3]. Myopia-associated maculopathy is reported as a leading cause of irreversible blindness in many countries [4,5,6,7,8,9]. Previous research determined that controlling myopic progression in children could lower the relative risk of development of myopic maculopathy, retinal detachment, and posterior subcapsular cataract by about 5 times, 3 times, and 1.5 times, respectively [10]. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 1967; doi:10.3390/ijerph17061967 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
