Research

Annual Incidences and Progressions of Myopia and High Myopia in Chinese Schoolchildren Based on a 5-Year Cohort Study

This study investigated myopia incidence and progression in Chinese schoolchildren from grade 1 to grade 6. Over a 5-year period, the mean spherical equivalent refraction decreased significantly, with annual myopic shifts, particularly in grades 3 through 6. Myopia prevalence increased substantially, reaching 61.5% in grade 6, and the incidence of high myopia increased from 0.1% to 1.0%. Children with less hyperopic baseline refraction, two myopic parents, longer axial length, and other factors had higher myopia incidence. Girls had a higher cumulative incidence than boys. Hyperopic children showed lower myopia development, suggesting a "hyperopia reserve." The study recommends monitoring hyperopic refraction before primary school to prevent myopia onset, emphasizing interventions before grade 3. The findings contribute to understanding myopia's dynamics in school-aged Chinese children, informing public health strategies to address this global concern.

Publication date

January 1, 2022

Publication

Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science

Sponsor Institution

Beijing Science Foundation for Distinguished Yong Scholars, Capital health research and development of special, Beijing Talents Found, National Natural Science Foundation of China, the primary scientific research foundation for the junior researcher in Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University

Authors

Shi-Ming Li; Shifei Wei; David A. Atchison; Meng-Tian Kang; Luoru Liu; He Li; Siyuan Li; Zhou Yang; Yipeng Wang; Fengju Zhang; Ningli Wang
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