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The development of myopia in Hong Kong children between the ages of 7 and 12 years: a five‐year longitudinal study
Author(s) -
Edwards M.H.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
ophthalmic and physiological optics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.147
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1475-1313
pISSN - 0275-5408
DOI - 10.1046/j.1475-1313.1999.00445.x
Subject(s) - longitudinal study , optometry , demography , psychology , medicine , sociology , pathology
Summary The purpose of this work was to characterize the development of refractive error in Hong Kong children between the ages of 7 and 12 years. A non self‐selected sample of 7‐year old children was recruited and followed for 5 years, non‐cycloplegic refractions being carried out annually. A life‐table was used to determine myopia incidence and prevalence. The mean annual change in the spherical equivalent refraction (SER) was −0.32 D; 75 out of 83 subjects followed for 5 years became less hyperopic or more myopic, the maximum progression occurring between 9 and 11 years of age. The mean change in SER over the 5 years in children who were myopic at age 12 years was significantly greater than that in children who remained non‐myopic. The incidence of myopia at age 7–8 years was 9% and at age 11–12 years was 18–20%. At age 7 years the prevalence of progressive myopia was 1.6% and 2.5% of subjects had anisometropia. Any treatment to prevent myopia should start by the age of 6 years and treatment to retard development should commence before age 9 years.