The Environmental and Social Risk Factors for Myopia in Children and Adolescents in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: The seriousness of myopia is still underappreciated by the general population. One in five occurrences of blindness may be traced back to uncorrected refractive error (The discrepancy between the patient's vision at presentation and their best-corrected vision). Objective: In this study our main goal is to evaluate the environmental and social risk factors for myopia in children and adolescents in Bangladesh. Method: This prospective cohort research conducted at a major medical center to investigate prenatal through adult risk factors for poor health and noncommunicable illnesses in young people. The study began in July 2020, and 100 people have been asked to participate in yearly follow-ups for two years. The majority of the people living there are from the Dhaka metropolitan area. Schools, daycares, community clinics, general practices, public health agencies, and collaborative research projects are just few of the places where participants are sought for recruitment. Results: During the study, 60% were in 11-18 years age group, 55% were male and 35% were in middle income group. 10% myopia had 3-10 years age group and 21% myopia in 11-18 years age group. 80% patients had everyday outdoor frequency, followed by 50% had 1-2 hours outdoor frequency, 60% had everyday near work frequency. There was a significant associations of myopia with low outdoor activity frequency, high near work duration and low near work frequency. Outdoor activity duration was not significantly associated with myopia. Conclusion: The results of our study indicate that regular sun exposure and limiting the amount of time spent in constant close work may help prevent the development of eye diseases. Furthermore, our cohort found that children of higher socioeconomic status were less likely to be myopic. Strategy development for myopia prevention in children of all ages should be prioritized in light of the massive economic burden imposed by the condition and the apparent ............