Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/39637

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Title
Myopia, lifestyle, and schooling in students of Chinese ethnicity in Singapore and Sydney
Author/Creator
Rose, Kathryn A.;  Morgan, Ian G.;  Smith, Wayne;  Burlutsky, George;  Mitchell, Paul;  Saw, Seang-Mei
Institution
The University of Newcastle. Faculty of Health, School of Medicine and Public Health
Description
Objective: To compare the prevalence and risk factors for myopia in 6- and 7-year-old children of Chinese ethnicity in Sydney and Singapore. Methods: Two cross-sectional samples of age- and ethnicity-matched primary school children participated: 124 from the Sydney Myopia Study and 628 from the Singapore Cohort Study on the Risk Factors for Myopia. Cycloplegic autorefraction was used to determine rnyopia prevalence (spherical equivalent <≤-0.5 diopter). Lifestyle activities were ascertained by questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of myopia in 6- and 7-year-old children of Chinese ethnicity was significantly lower in Sydney (3.3%) than in Singapore (29.1%) (P <.001). The prevalence of myopia in I or more parents was 68% in Sydney and 71% in Singapore. Children in Sydney read more books per week (P <.001) and did more total near-work activity (P=.002). Children in Sydney spent more time on outdoor activities (13.75 vs 3.05 hours per week; P<.001), which was the most significant factor associated with the differences in the prevalence of myopia between the 2 sites. Conclusions: The lower prevalence of myopia in Sydney was associated with increased hours of outdoor activities. We hypothesize that another factor contributing to the differences in the prevalence of myopia may be the early educational pressures found in Singapore but not in Sydney.
Relation
Archives of Ophthalmology Vol. 126, Issue 4, p. 527-530
Publisher Link
http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archopht.126.4.527
Date
2008
Publisher
American Medical Association
Keyword(s)
myopia;  prevalence;  children;  Chinese ethnicity;  Sydney;  Singapore
Resource Type
journal article
Identifier
http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/39637
Identifier
ISSN:0003-9950
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Subject
"Archives of Ophthalmology"
 
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