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Myopia in Chinese students more prevalent in middle-income province vs. low-income province
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The prevalence of clinically significant myopia among middle-income students in China may be almost twice that of lower-income students, according to a study.
The study compared students from China’s 14th ranked administrative region of Shaanxi vs. students from the second poorest province of Gansu; 19,626 students were randomly selected from one class among the fourth and fifth grades from one school of each township from each of the provinces. Clinically significant myopia was classified as uncorrected visual acuity of 6/12 or worse in either eye and a spherical equivalent of–0.5 D or worse in both eyes, the study said.
The prevalence of myopia in Shaanxi students was 22.9% vs. 12.7% among students in Gansu. After adjusting for other risk factors, an increased risk of myopia was associated with residence in Shaanxi. Female students overall and female students in Shaanxi had a higher risk of clinically significant myopia. Older age, a history of parents wearing glasses and higher math scores were associated with a higher myopia risk in the overall population and students in both Gansu and Shaanxi.
The differences in myopia between the two provinces cannot yet be explained.
“Although unexamined or unknown economic factors might have better explained differences in myopia between these regions, it remains unclear how economic differences affect myopia, if not through known behavioral risk factors,” the study authors said. “Understanding reasons for low myopia prevalence in low-income areas might eventually lead to myopia prevention strategies.” – by Kristie L. Kahl
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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