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Abstract
Purpose: The aim was to identify the prevalence and risk factors of myopia among elementary school students in a rural area of Taiwan.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Elementary school students aged 7–12 years were recruited from the two schools located on Chimei Island. Data were obtained by means of a parent questionnaire and ocular evaluations that included axial length and cycloplegic autorefraction.
Results: One hundred and forty five students were recruited for this study. Myopia prevalence was 31%. In univariate analysis, myopia was significantly associated with school year, myopic parent, and watching television (TV) (P < .0001, = 0.007 and = 0.029, respectively). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that myopia was significantly associated with school year and myopic parent. However, the effect of watching TV was not statistically significant (P = 0.059). Outdoor activity showed significance and was inversely associated with myopia (Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.3, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 0.1–0.9, P = 0.025).
Conclusion: This study suggests that outdoor activities might be an important protecting factor for myopia in rural school children.
ACKNOWLEGMENTs
The authors thank Dr. Shih-Yu Cheng and Ms. Yun-Chen Tsai in Chimei Township Pulic Health Center, Penghu County for assistance in the examinations. We also thank Lily Tung, B.A. for reading and editing the manuscript. This investigation was supported in part by CMRP Research Grant from the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan (CMRPG 880201 to CL Tsai).
Declaration of Interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.