Moderate hyperopia prevalence and associated factors among elementary school students.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Pediatric Ophthalmology
• Public Health

Background:

• Hyperopia is the most common childhood refractive error, yet moderate hyperopia and its associated factors are understudied.
• Addressing moderate hyperopia is crucial for visual development and academic success in children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of moderate hyperopia among school children in Southern Brazil.
• To identify factors associated with moderate hyperopia in this population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 1,032 students (1st-8th grades) in Southern Brazil.
• Refractive error was measured using auto-refraction after cycloplegia.
• Socioeconomic and cultural factors were assessed via questionnaire, with multivariable Poisson regression analysis.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of moderate hyperopia was 13.4% (95% CI, 11.2-15.4), with 85% of affected children not wearing corrective lenses.
• Older age showed an inverse association with moderate hyperopia.
• Female gender (RP=1.39) and white skin (RP=1.66) were identified as significant risk factors.

Conclusions:

• This study provides prevalence estimates for moderate hyperopia in a Brazilian school population, highlighting a significant gap in corrective lens use.
• Identified risk factors (female gender, white skin) and protective factors (older age) offer insights for targeted screening and intervention strategies.
• Further research should explore the impact of near work, distance activities, and outdoor time on hyperopia development and progression.