Prevalence of refractive errors in teenage high school students in Singapore

Abstract

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.

Pattern of Ocular Conditions among Patients Attending an Eye Clinic in Ghana

“…Comparable study by Waziri-Erameh and Omoti [34][35][36][37][38][39] reported similar findings with majority of patients (70.18%) with visual acuity better than 6/18, 25.49% with visual acuity between 6/60-6/18 while 4.33% had visual acuity worse than 6/60. However, one study by Hassan et al [40][41][42][43][44][45] reported higher percentage of patients with visual acuity between 6/60-6/18 (46.34%) followed by visual acuity better than 6/18 (39.84%) and then visual acuity worse than 6/60 (13.82%). The higher case of satisfactory visual acuity (better than 6/18) could be a reason for the low prevalence of refractive error in this study.…”

Relationship Between Anisometropia, Patient Age, and the Development of Amblyopia

“…A trend for increasing anisometropia with age is also supported by studies of Bourne and colleagues 25 and Quek and associates. 26 The reason for the development of anisometropia in some adult eyes is unclear, but Almeder and colleagues have suggested that much anisometropia observed in adults is actually not the cause, but instead may be the result, of preexisting amblyopia. 21 It therefore appears that prevalence data from adults should not be extrapolated to children.…”

Direct costs of myopia in Singapore

“…1 Its public health costs can be considerable, most obviously from direct costs of refractive correction arising from purchases of spectacles, contact lenses, and their accessories. Globally, myopia cost US$4.6 billion in 1990.…”