Abstract
This study investigated refractive error and optical component changes in a group of 142 Hong Kong schoolchildren from age 6 to 17 years over a 2- year period between 1991 and 1993. Subjects were refracted subjectively and corneal curvatures and ocular dimensions were measured. At the end of the 2- year study, the mean spherical equivalent refraction (SER) was -1.86 D (SD 1.99 D) and 62% of the schoolchildren were myopic. The annual incidence of myopia was 11.8%. Children aged 10 years and under had a greater change in SER toward myopia than older children. The annual rate of myopia progression for the myopic children was -0.46 D (SD 0.40 D) and the rate of progression was greatest between age 6 and 10 years old. Vitreous depth/axial length elongation was the main component contributing to the progression of myopia. Hong Kong schoolchildren develop myopia as early as 6 years old and myopia progresses at a greater rate compared with children of European extraction.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 370-380 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Optometry and Vision Science |
Volume | 76 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jun 1999 |
Keywords
- Chinese
- Myopia prevalence
- Myopia progression
- Optical components
- Refraction
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ophthalmology
- Optometry