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Refractive change and incidence of myopia among rural Chinese children: the Handan Offspring Myopia Study
Zhong Lin1,2, Balamurali Vasudevan3, Tieying Gao4
1The Eye Hospital, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Insights
This study found low myopia progression in Chinese rural children, with baseline and paternal refraction linked to myopia development. These findings aid comparisons across regions and countries.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Myopia is a growing global health concern, particularly in East Asia.
- Understanding myopia progression and incidence in diverse populations is crucial for effective interventions.
- Chinese rural children represent a significant demographic for myopia research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate refractive changes and myopia incidence in Chinese rural children aged 6-17 years.
- To identify risk factors associated with myopia development and progression in this population.
- To provide data for future comparative studies on myopia in different regions.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study involving 601 children from the Handan Offspring Myopia Study.
- Cycloplegic and non-cycloplegic autorefraction performed at baseline and follow-up (mean 42.4 months).
- Statistical analysis to determine refractive change, myopia incidence, and associated risk factors.
Main Results:
- Cumulative myopia incidence was 22.4% (annual incidence 6.3%).
- Mean refractive change was -0.53 diopters and axial length change was 0.39 mm over the follow-up period.
- Younger age, higher baseline myopia, greater cycloplegic-non-cycloplegic refraction difference, and paternal myopia were associated with faster myopic progression.
Conclusions:
- The study observed relatively low myopia progression and incidence in the studied cohort.
- Baseline refraction and paternal refraction were significant predictors of both myopic refractive change and incidence.
- Findings offer valuable insights for myopia research and prevention strategies in rural Chinese populations and beyond.
Purpose:
To assess the refractive change and incidence of myopia, as well as their risk factors, among Chinese rural children aged 6-17 years.
Methods:
Children who completed the baseline vision examination of the Handan Offspring Myopia Study were re-examined, including both cycloplegic and non-cyloplegic autorefraction, with a mean follow-up time of 42.4±1.47 months.
Results:
A total of 601 children (68.5%) who completed both baseline and the follow-up examinations were enrolled. The cumulative refractive change and axial length change were -0.53±1.03 diopter and 0.39±0.46 mm (-0.15 diopter/year and 0.11 mm/year), respectively. A hundred and five out of the 469 non-myopic children at baseline become myopic at the follow-up, yielding a cumulative myopia incidence of 22.4% (95% CI: 18.6% to 26.2%), or annual myopia incidence of 6.3%. After adjustment, younger age (β=0.08, p<0.001), more myopic baseline refraction (β=0.31, p<0.001), larger difference between cycloplegic and non-cycloplegic refraction (β=-0.20, p=0.007) and more myopic paternal refraction (β=0.09, p=0.007) were found to be associated with more rapid myopic refractive change. More myopic baseline refraction (relative risk (RR), 95% CI: 0.19, 0.13-0.28, p<0.001) and more myopic paternal refraction (RR, 95% CI: 0.92, 0.84-1.00, p=0.039) were also associated with myopia incidence.
Conclusion:
Relatively low myopic refractive change and myopia incidence were found in this study cohort. Children's refraction and paternal refraction were associated with both myopic refractive change and myopia incidence. Such information will be helpful for further comparisons in other rural versus urban areas of China, and other countries.
