Refractive errors in Singapore medical students

The refraction of 128 third-year medical students aged 20-22 was studied using a Topcon autorefractometer. The population was predominantly Chinese and comprised 44% females and 56% males. The mean refractive error was -3.75 D for males and -4.76D for females. In all, 82% of the students were myopic, 72% were found to have astigmatism. This study confirms clinical impressions that Singapore students have one of the highest prevalence rates of myopia and astigmatism in the world.