The development of myopia in Hong Kong children

Abstract

ABSTRACT.Purpose: The purpose of this two and one-half year follow-up study is to evaluate the relationship between early academic activities and the development of myopia. Methods: 128 children randomly selected from 51 pre-schools completed an education and vision assessment study. At the end of the period, the children were 8.5 years old. Data were collected on developmental performance in the areas of cognition, language, social, academic and motor skills. The prevalence of myopia, mean refraction and change of refraction over this period were described in terms of the gender, geographical areas, type of pre-schools and type of primary schools. Results: The prevalence of myopia shifted towards a higher proportion of myopia in all the above categories. The mean refraction at the initial visit was 0.5 D and became about ª0.50 D at the follow-up visit. There was no difference in the changes of refraction in relation to the type of pre-school or primary school. The change of refraction was also not related to the educational scores. However, there was a statistically significant difference in the academic scores, in particular the reading scores, between the activity and conventional primary schools. There was also gender difference in language scores between the girls and the boys of the activity schools. There was no difference in all scores between the myopes and non-myopes. Conclusion: The present study did not demonstrate a relationship between early academic activities and development of myopia. However, the higher reading scores and the slightly faster progression rate in the conventional schools may indicate an influence of the curriculum on the refractive development. A longer follow-up study may elucidate a clearer trend.

Changes in refraction and ocular dimensions after cataract surgery and primary intraocular lens implantation in infants

“…More studies are warranted to determine the appropriate adjustment of IOL power in Asian children so that the dependency on spectacles, contact lenses, or refractive surgery can be reduced when these pseudophakic children grow up. 40 Proper selection of IOL power according to the age of the child at surgery might prevent significant myopic shifts with growth, and this may be especially relevant in infants. More studies may also be warranted to investigate the appropriate adjustment of IOL power in Asian children.…”

Little evidence for an epidemic of myopia in Australian primary school children over the last 30 years

“…Certainly, the education system and housing has changed little in Australia the last 30 years. By comparison, most Asian children participating in myopia epidemiological studies reportedly are more likely to live in high-rise residential blocks [17] and have strong demands at school to memorize along with parental and peer pressure to do well, and for some, a competitive entrance examination to enter school [19,51]. …”

Functional craniology and brain evolution: from paleontology to biomedicine

“…Astigmatism is associated with irregular curvature of the cornea, and myopia with an overly large, axially elongated eye, increased vitreous depth, and increased focusing power of the cornea, which cause an image to be erroneously focused in front of the retina (Curtin, 1985; Working Group on Myopia Prevalence and Progression, 1989; Lam et al, 1999; Stone and Filtcroft, 2004; Dirani et al, 2006). Among these and other factors that can influence myopic progression, axial length of the eye has been found to be the biggest contributor to the condition, and particularly among individuals over 12 years of age and of East-Asian ancestry (Ip et al, 2007), where myopia is so common that it affects 80–90% of individuals in some East-Asian populations (Goldschmidt et al, 2001; Lin et al, 2004; Park and Congdon, 2004). It is also found to occur earlier in life and at a higher frequency among Chinese schoolchildren compared to individuals of African or European descent (Lam et al, 1999; Ip et al, 2007, 2008).…”