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Refractive errors and risk factors for myopia in infants aged 1-18 months in Tianjin, China
Lu Huo1,2, Yuanyuan Qi1, Shaozhen Zhao3
1Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China.
Insights
Infant refractive errors like hyperopia and astigmatism are common, decreasing with age. Myopia in infants is linked to genetics and prenatal factors, highlighting early visual development concerns.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Vision
- Developmental Optics
Background:
- Infancy is a critical period for visual development.
- Refractive errors, particularly myopia, are prevalent vision disorders in children.
- Understanding infant refractive status is crucial for early detection and intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of refractive errors in infants aged 1-18 months in Tianjin, China.
- To identify risk factors associated with myopia development in this age group.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 583 infants (1-18 months) in Tianjin, China.
- Comprehensive ophthalmologic examinations were performed on all participants.
- Myopia risk factors were assessed using a parental questionnaire.
Main Results:
- Hyperopia (+2.74 D) and astigmatism (49.9%) were the most common refractive errors.
- Prevalence of myopia was 5.1%, with a trend towards less hyperopia with increasing age.
- Risk factors for myopia included male gender, premature birth, winter birth, prenatal tobacco smoke exposure, and parental history of high myopia.
Conclusions:
- Hyperopia and astigmatism are frequent in Chinese infants, with decreasing diopter values as age increases.
- Myopia in a subset of infants is associated with genetic factors and the prenatal environment.
- Early identification of refractive errors and associated risk factors is essential for pediatric eye care.
Background:
Infancy is the of a child's visual development. Refractive errors, especially myopia, are a common vision disorder. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore refractive errors and risk factors for myopia among infants aged 1-18 months in Tianjin, China.
Methods:
A total of 583 infants aged 1-18 months participated in this cross-sectional study at Tianjin Women's and Children's Health Center in China from February 2019 to November 2020. Each infant received a complete ophthalmologic examination, and myopia-related risk factors were investigated using a questionnaire.
Results:
A total of 583 eligible infants participated in this study, including 312 (53.5%) boys and 271 (46.5%) girls. There were 164 (28.1%) premature born infants. The mean age was 6.59 ± 4.84 months (range, 1-18 months). The mean spherical equivalent (MSE) for the right eye was 1.81 D ± 1.56 D, with no difference related to sex (P = 0.104). Refractive state showed an average hyperopia of +2.74 ± 1.74 D at early ages, followed by a trend toward less hyperopia, finally reaching +1.35 ± 1.44 D at the age of 18 months (P ≤0.001). The overall prevalence rates of myopia (MSE ≤ -0.50 D), emmetropia (-0.50 D
Conclusions:
Among Chinese infants in Tianjin, hyperopia and astigmatism were the most frequent refractive errors, and the diopter was lower in individuals with higher age. In a small number of infants with myopia, genetic factors and the prenatal environment were associated with the early onset of myopia.
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