Prevalence of myopia and its risk factors in elementary school students at coastal plain area of Nghe An province: a cross-sectional study in Viet Nam.

• Thang Tat Tran,  
• Phong Duy Nguyen,  
• Quynh Thi Thuy Nguyen,  
• Dung Thuy Nguyen,  
• Huynh Sa Nguyen*

Abstract

Abstract Aim: To assess the prevalence of myopia and its risk factors in elementary school students in coastal plain area. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study on 4305 students aged 6-10 years from 5 primary school. All students underwent the following standard procedures: distance visual acuity testing, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), noncycloplegic autorefraction, pupilloscopy, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit-lamp examination, ophthalmoscopy. The student's parents to complete a questionnaire, to assess the factors. Results: The prevalence of myopia was 26.02%, lowest in 6 year old and highest in 10 year (p<0,0001), The odds of myopia were higher among the children in group “both parents had refractive error” (OR 1.72; 95% CI 1.30-2.27) and group “one of the parents” (OR 1.53; 95% CI 1.31-1.78). Total near screen time at home more than 2 hours, the odds of myopia were higher (OR 1.56; 95% Cl 1.34-1.81). The odds of myopia were higher among the students in group distance read books or watch tablets/smart phone (centimeter) less than 20cm (OR 9.93; 95% CI 7.76-12.7). Compared to outdoor activities less than 1 hour/day: outdoor activities more than 2 hours/day were protective factors (OR 0.19; 95% CI 0.13- 0.27). Conclusions: Research shows that coastal areas have a lot of sunshine, so the prevalence of myopia in elementary schools will be lower than in other areas, time spent outdoors in the sun is a protective factor.

Keywords

myopia, refractive errors, elementary school.