Family history, near work, outdoor activity, and myopia in Singapore Chinese preschool children.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the risk factors for myopia, including near work and outdoor activity, in Singapore Chinese preschool children.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study, with disproportionate random sampling by 6-month age groups, of 3009 Singapore Chinese children aged 6-72 months was performed. Information on family history, near work and outdoor activity was obtained. Spherical equivalent refraction (SER) was assessed.


RESULTS
Children with two myopic parents were more likely to be myopic (adjusted OR=1.91; 95% CI 1.38 to 2.63) and to have a more myopic SER (regression coefficient=-0.35; 95% CI -0.47 to -0.22) than children without myopic parents. For each 1 cm taller height, the SER was more myopic by 0.01 dioptres. Neither near work nor outdoor activity was associated with preschool myopia.


CONCLUSIONS
A family history of myopia was the strongest factor associated with preschool myopia. In contrast, neither near work nor outdoor activity was found to be associated with early myopia. These data suggest that genetic factors may play a more substantial role in the development of early-onset myopia than key environmental factors.
Low
Wilson
W
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 16 Medical Drive (MD3), Singapore 117597.
Dirani
Mohamed
M
Gazzard
Gus
G
Chan
Yiong-Huak
YH
Zhou
Hui-Jun
HJ
Selvaraj
Prabakaran
P
Au Eong
Kah-Guan
KG
Young
Terri L
TL
Mitchell
Paul
P
Wong
Tien-Yin
TY
Saw
Seang-Mei
SM
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D009216:Myopia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D011932:Reading; D012307:Risk Factors; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology
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