Risk Factors for Myopia in 2 Hong Kong School Systems: A Pilot Study

Purpose: Myopia has reached “epidemic” proportions, especially in several East Asian countries. Most myopia emerges during childhood, particularly during the school years. The aim of this study was to investigate myopia prevalence and compare risk factors of myopia among Hong Kong Chinese primary school children under 2 different educational systems. Design: Cross-sectional study Methods: Visual assessments were conducted in 1 government-funded primary school (n = 159) and 1 international school (n = 223) in Hong Kong in September and October 2018, respectively. Measurements were performed on children aged 8 to 10 years old. Noncycloplegic refraction and axial length were measured, respectively. A validated questionnaire focusing on demographic information, nonscreen time (eg, reading and writing on paper materials), screen time (ie, smartphones and tablets usage), time spent on outdoor activities, and other myopia risk factors was completed by parents of participants. Results: The prevalence of myopia [37.5% vs 12.8%, P 
Source: Asia-Pacific Journal of Ophthalmology - Category: Opthalmology Tags: Original Study Source Type: research