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The progression of refractive error in school-age children: Shunyi district, China
Jialiang Zhao1, Jin Mao, Rong Luo
1Eye Research Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Insights
This study tracked refractive error progression in Chinese schoolchildren. Female sex, older age, and higher baseline refractive error were linked to myopia development, with incidence peaking at age 12.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Optometry
- Public Health
Background:
- Refractive error and myopia are significant vision concerns in school-aged populations.
- Understanding progression patterns is crucial for early intervention and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate refractive error progression and myopia incidence in children aged 5-13 in Beijing's Shunyi District.
- To identify risk factors associated with myopia development.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal cohort study of 4,662 children examined in 1998 and reexamined in 2000.
- Cycloplegic autorefraction was used to measure refractive error.
- Age, sex, and baseline refractive error were analyzed as risk factors.
Main Results:
- Over 28.5 months, average refractive error shifted by -0.42 diopters. Myopic shift was associated with female sex, older age, and higher baseline refractive error.
- Cumulative myopia incidence was 14.1% in males and 23.5% in females. Incidence peaked between ages 5 and 12.
- Astigmatic error changes were minimal, with higher baseline astigmatism predicting greater shifts.
Conclusions:
- Children needing refractive correction, particularly girls and older children, require frequent rescreening.
- Targeted screening programs can improve management of uncorrected refractive error.
- Further research into environmental and genetic factors influencing myopia is needed.
Purpose:
To assess the progression of refractive error and the incidence of myopia in school-age children in the Shunyi District of Beijing, China.
Design:
A longitudinal cohort study.
Methods:
A population-based sample of 4,662 children initially examined in 1998 at ages 5 to 13 years was reexamined between September and November, 2000. Refractive error was measured under cycloplegia with autorefraction. Age, sex, and baseline refractive error were evaluated as risk factors for progression.
Results:
In 28.5 months, the average change in refractive error was -0.42 diopters (standard deviation, 0.68) in right eyes. Myopic shift of refractive error was associated with female sex, older age, and higher myopic or hyperopic refractive error at baseline. The average change in astigmatic error was essentially zero, with significant change in both directions more likely among those with higher baseline astigmatism. Findings were similar for left eyes. The cumulative incidence of myopia, defined as a spherical equivalent refractive error of -0.50 diopters or more in either eye, among initial emmetropes and hyperopes was 14.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.8%-16.5%) for male and 23.5% (95% CI, 20.8%-26.1%) for female subjects. Myopia incidence increased sixfold to sevenfold between baseline age 5 and 12, before decreasing at age 13, for both male and female subjects.
Conclusions:
In the design of cost-effective programs for the periodic screening and treatment of uncorrected refractive error, children initially found to require refractive correction should be targeted for relatively frequent rescreening, as should girls and older children. Further study is required to better understand environmental and genetic risk factors for myopia development and progression.