Prevalence and Related Factors for Myopia in School-Aged Children in Qingdao

Abstract EN

Purpose.

To investigate the prevalence and related factors for myopia in school-aged children in the Economic and Technological Development Zone of Qingdao, Eastern China.

Methods.

A total of 4890 (aged 10 to 15 years) students were initially enrolled in this study.

3753 (76.75%) students with completed refractive error and questionnaire data were analyzed.

The children underwent a comprehensive eye examination.

Multiple logistic regression models were applied to assess possible factors associated with myopia.

Results.

The prevalence of myopia increased as the children’s grade increased (χ2=560.584, P<0.001).

Low myopia was the main form of myopia in adolescent students (30.22%).

With the growth of age, students spent significantly more time on near work (P=0.03) and less time on outdoor activity (P<0.001).

In multivariate models, only the following variables were significantly associated with myopia: age, two myopic parents, outdoor activity time, and continuous near work without 5 min rest.

Conclusions.

The prevalence of myopia increased as the grade increased.

Age, two myopic parents, and continuous near work time without 5 min rest were risk factors for myopia.

Outdoor activities had protective effect for myopia.