The influence of near‐work on development of myopia among university students. A three‐year longitudinal study among engineering students in Norway

Abstract

ABSTRACT.Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of near-work on development and progression of myopia among adults exposed to high educational demands. Methods: A three-year longitudinal refraction study was performed among 224 Norwegian engineering students (mean age 20.6 years, 117 females and 107 males) measuring their refraction at the beginning and the end of the period. The examinations included automated and clinical refraction in cycloplegia and a questionnaire regarding time spent on different kinds of near-work was filled in by the participants. A total of 192 students (100 females and 92 males) completed the study. Results: The mean refractive change of ª0.51∫0.49 D (nΩ192) during the three-year period was statistically significant (pΩ0.0001). A significant relationship between refractive change towards myopia and time spent on reading scientific literature (pՅ0.001) and on practical near-work (pՅ0.05), respectively, was found. Also, a significant relationship between refractive change towards myopia and time spent at lectures was revealed (pՅ0.001). No relationship was found between refractive change and time spent at working with video display terminals (VDT) or watching television, respectively. Conclusions:The results indicate that intensive near-work could initiate myopia or lead to its progression in young adults. The time spent on near-work seems to play a significant role in that process.

Modelling the elastic properties of the anterior eye and their contribution to maintenance of image quality: the role of the limbus

“…3,4 Perhaps the most evident manifestation of ocular pliability throughout life is the development of myopia that is increasingly found to occur in adults. [5][6][7][8] This is most likely to be attributable to accommodative effort but may also involve a second growth spurt in adult life. 5 Accommodation is not the only factor that may influence the shape and size of the globe in adult life.…”

The Influence of Light Exposure and Seasonal Changes on Short-Term and Longer-Term Changes in Axial Length of the Human Eye

“…However, there is also evidence that myopia can develop and progress in adults, particularly in certain populations (e.g. university students and microscopists) (McBrien & Adams, 1997;Kinge et al, 2000). Myopia is considered to be a major public health concern, due to its increasing prevalence in recent decades and the documented association between myopia and sight-threatening ocular complications such as cataract, retinal detachment, retinal degeneration, and glaucoma (Flitcroft, 2012;Morgan et al, 2012).…”

“…Studies of myopia in adults have reported incidence levels of myopia ranging from 6% to 22.5% per year and progression rates from -0.13 D/year to -0.24 D/year (Shulkin & Bari, 1986;Zadnik & Mutti, 1987;Lin et al, 1996;Kinge & Midelfart, 1999;Kinge et al, 2000;Onal et al, 2007;Jacobsen et al, 2008). Adultonset myopia also typically occurs due to axial elongation of the eye, with reported rates of axial elongation in young adults ranging from 0.010 to 0.083 mm per year.…”

“…However, there is well established evidence that myopia can also develop and progress in populations of young adults particularly in university populations and other groups with high nearwork demands (e.g. microscopists) (Lin et al, 1996;McBrien & Adams, 1997;Kinge & Midelfart, 1999;Kinge et al, 2000;Loman et al, 2002;Onal et al, 2007;Jacobsen et al, 2008), which suggests that there may also be a role for light exposure in the development and progression of refractive error in young adults. An improved understanding of typical light exposure patterns, and their seasonal variations associated with myopia in young adults may therefore provide insights into the importance of this environmental factor in refractive error development and progression in adulthood.…”

“…A number of studies have documented both the development and progression of myopia in young adult populations, particularly in those with high near-work demands (e.g. university students, microscopists), with an incidence of up to 22.5% per year and progression rates of up to -0.24 D/year reported (Shulkin & Bari, 1986;Zadnik & Mutti, 1987;Lin et al, 1996;McBrien & Adams, 1997;Kinge & Midelfart, 1999;Kinge et al, 2000;Onal et al, 2007;Jacobsen et al, 2008). Similar to children, myopia development and progression in young adults is also typically of axial origin and studies have reported an axial eye growth rate ranging from 0.010 mm to 0.083 mm per year (Lin et al, 1996;Onal et al, 2007;Jacobsen et al, 2008).…”