Rationale, Design, and Demographic Characteristics of the Handan Offspring Myopia Study

Abstract

Purpose: The Handan Offspring Myopia Study (HOMS) aims to investigate the familial associations of myopia between parents and their offspring.

Methods: Children aged 6–18 years, residing in 6 villages where all people aged ≥30 years had participated in The Handan Eye Study in 2006–2007, were selected for the current eye study between March and June 2010. A mobile clinic was set up in the 6 villages for comprehensive eye examinations, including visual acuity, ocular biometry, cycloplegic autorefraction and retinal photography.

Results: Of 1238 eligible individuals, 878 children (70.2%; 52.6% male) from 541 families were recruited. Mean age of the children was 10.5 ± 2.5 years. The prevalence of myopia (spherical equivalent refraction <−0.5 diopter) was 23.5% (males 16.8%, females 30.8%). The prevalence of low vision (presenting visual acuity ≥20/400 but <20/60) in the better eye was 7.1%. A higher number of females had low vision at the time of presentation (9.2%) compared to males (5.2%, p = 0.02). The prevalence of low vision in the worse eye was 10.6% (males 6.7%, females 14.9%, p < 0.001). The majority of visual impairment in the better-seeing (56/62, 90.3%) as well as the worse-seeing (84/93, 90.3%) eye was correctable.

Conclusions: The HOMS examined about 70% of eligible Han Chinese offspring of Handan Eye Study participants in a rural region of northern China. Results from the HOMS will provide key information about the prevalence of refractive errors and eye diseases in rural Chinese children.

• Children
• epidemiology
• low vision
• myopia
• offspring
• prevalence

Acknowledgements

Appreciation is expressed to the Handan Bureau of Public Health, the Handan Bureau of Education, and the Handan Eye Hospital for their cooperation in facilitating the implementation of this survey.

The authors also thank the following for valuable contributions: Professor Jie Jin Wang, Centre for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Westmead Millennium Institute, University of Sydney for epidemiological design. Wei Han, Ming Tang Li, Han Ying Zhao, Shi Yi Liu, Handan Eye Hospital, for administrative support; Xiao Dong Yang, Qian Jia, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, for assistance with clinical examinations; Zhi Fang Liu, Yongnian County Bureau of Public Health, Shi Jun Zhong, Yongnian County Bureau of Education, for arranging villages and schools organizational support; and Shi Song Rong, Chinese University of Hong Kong, for data analysis and statistical assistance.