Factors in increasing prevalence rates of myopia identified in China

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An epidemiologic study of myopia in a Chinese province found that economic status, gender, and age were associated with rates of myopia.¹Tainan Lin, MD, from the Departments of Ophthalmology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital Fuzhou, and Fujian Provincial Governmental Hospital, Fuzhou, People’s Republic of China, led the study.

The investigative team wanted to provide physicians with reference guidelines to aid in the prevention and control of myopia.

This cross-sectional, epidemiologic investigation was conducted in 3 cites in Fujian Province, Fuzhou, Xiamen, Longyan, and focused on their levels of economic development and other economic factors. All patients underwent measurement of the visual acuity and mydriasis.

A total of 41,906 cases were included in the analysis.

The results indicated that in 2020 in Fujian 70.55% of girls and 63.35% of boys were myopic; the findings in the other 2 cities were similar, but higher.

The results also showed that as the ages of the students increased, so did the prevalence of myopia. In addition, the percentages of students with myopia in primary and middle schools were higher in urban areas compared with underdeveloped areas and this also was true in economically developed areas compared with underdeveloped regions.

It was also noteworthy that a higher prevalence of myopia was seen in children born in the months of June and August compared with other months.

The investigators recommended that the government, schools, hospitals, and parents should be alerted to the increasing prevalence rates of myopia under the various scenarios studied and coordinate to control the risk of myopia exacerbation and improve eyesight conditions of students in Fujian Province.

Reference:

1. Lin T, Hu J, Lin J, et al. Epidemiological investigation of the status of myopia in children and adolescents in Fujian Province in 2020. Jpn J Ophthalmol 2023;67:335–345; https://doi.org/10.1007/s10384-023-00991-y