Near-work activity and myopia in rural and urban schoolchildren in China

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the prevalence of myopia in rural and urban schoolchildren in Xiamen, China, and to assess the impact of environmental factors on rates of myopia. Methods: Second-grade children attending either a city (n=119) or rural (n=91) school in Xiamen, China, were examined using cycloplegic autorefraction and biometry. Detailed questions on socioeconomic status, near-work activity, reading and writing habits, and family histories of myopia were asked in a face-to-face interview using a standard questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of myopia was 19.3% (95% confidence interval [Cl], 12.3, 29) in the city and 6.6% (95% Cl, 2.4, 14.3) in the countryside. The average hours per day children spent reading and writing outside of school was 2.2 hours in the city compared with 1.6 hours in the countryside (P