RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Family history, near work, outdoor activity, and myopia in Singapore Chinese preschool children
JF British Journal of Ophthalmology
JO Br J Ophthalmol
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.
SP 1012
OP 1016
DO 10.1136/bjo.2009.173187
VO 94
IS 8
A1 Wilson Low
A1 Mohamed Dirani
A1 Gus Gazzard
A1 Yiong-Huak Chan
A1 Hui-Jun Zhou
A1 Prabakaran Selvaraj
A1 Kah-Guan Au Eong
A1 Terri L Young
A1 Paul Mitchell
A1 Tien-Yin Wong
A1 Seang-Mei Saw
YR 2010
UL http://bjo.bmj.com/content/94/8/1012.abstract
AB Aims To investigate the risk factors for myopia, including near work and outdoor activity, in Singapore Chinese preschool children.Methods A cross-sectional study, with disproportionate random sampling by 6-month age groups, of 3009 Singapore Chinese children aged 6–72 months was performed. Information on family history, near work and outdoor activity was obtained. Spherical equivalent refraction (SER) was assessed.Results Children with two myopic parents were more likely to be myopic (adjusted OR=1.91; 95% CI 1.38 to 2.63) and to have a more myopic SER (regression coefficient=−0.35; 95% CI −0.47 to −0.22) than children without myopic parents. For each 1 cm taller height, the SER was more myopic by 0.01 dioptres. Neither near work nor outdoor activity was associated with preschool myopia.Conclusions A family history of myopia was the strongest factor associated with preschool myopia. In contrast, neither near work nor outdoor activity was found to be associated with early myopia. These data suggest that genetic factors may play a more substantial role in the development of early-onset myopia than key environmental factors.