We aimed to study the prevalence of refractive conditions in Singapore teenagers. Grade 9 and 10 students (n = 946) aged 15–19 years from two secondary schools in Singapore were recruited. The refractive errors of the students’ eyes were measured using non‐cycloplegic autorefraction. Sociodemographic data and information on risk factors for myopia (such as reading and writing) were also obtained using an interviewer‐administered questionnaire. The prevalence of refractive conditions was found to be: myopia [spherical equivalent (SE) at least −0.50 D] – 73.9%, hyperopia (SE at least +0.50 D) – 1.5%, astigmatism (cylinder at least −0.50 D) – 58.7% and anisometropia (SE difference at least 1.00 D) – 11.2%. After adjusting for age and gender, currently doing more than 20.5 h of reading and writing a week was found to be positively associated with myopia [odds ratio 1.12 (95% CI 1.04–1.20, p = 0.003)], as was reading and writing at a close distance and a better educational stream. The prevalence of myopia (73.9%) in Singapore teenagers is high. Current reading and writing habits, reading at close distances and a better educational stream are possible risk factors for myopia.

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3.

Level IV, retrospective study.

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Purpose There have not been well-designed survey studies investigating the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on orthopaedic resident education. Methods A 58-question, web-based survey was administered to orthopaedic residents in South Korea. A total of 229 orthopaedic residents from 43 hospitals completed the survey questionnaire. Results The average working time of 72.7 hours/week before the pandemic was decreased to 65.6 hours/week during the pandemic ( p < 0.001). The time working in the operating room was significantly decreased during the pandemic, but not in the emergency centre and outpatient clinic. The education times for lecture and clinical case discussion were decreased during the pandemic (both, p < 0.001), respectively. While the use of traditional teaching methods was decreased, the use of online-based teaching methods was increased ( p < 0.001). However, satisfaction level with online-based teaching methods was significantly lower compared with that of traditional teaching methods. The average working time exposed to the patients with COVID-19 was 9.7 hours/week. About 47.6% of orthopaedic residents experienced isolation or quarantine. The average score for quality of life, which was 68.9 out of 100 scores before the pandemic, decreased to 61.7 during the pandemic ( p < 0.001). The most stressful factor for orthopaedic residents during the pandemic was family/relative health, followed by their own health and residency program. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on orthopaedic resident education in South Korea. Therefore, flexible and sustainable strategies are necessary to prepare for the future as well as the current pandemic situation.

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HS is comparable to ACDF and ADR in terms of safety and feasibility. Findings of shorter in-hospital stay and earlier return to work in HS group may be further explored in large, randomised controlled trials.