Utility values and myopia in teenage school students

Abstract

Aim: To ascertain the utility values of myopic teenage students in Singapore. Methods: Children (n=699) aged 15-18 years with myapia (spherical equivalent (SE) at least -0.5 diaptres (D)) in two high schools in Singapare were recruited. Information an time trade-off (years af life willing to sacrifice for treatment af myapia) and standard gamble far blindness [risk af blindness fram therapy willing to sacrifice far treatment af myapia) utility values, demagraphic, and socioeconamic status data were obtained. Results: The time trade-off and standard gamble for blindness utility values were 0.93 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.93 to 0.94) and 0.85 (95% Cl 0.84 to 0.86), respectively. Children with presenting better eye lagMAR visual acuity >0.3 had lower time trade-off utility values (mean 0.92 versus mean 0.94), after adjusting for race and sex. There were dase-response relatians between standard gamble for blindness values and total family income, as well as bath utility values and educational stream (all p values far trend