TY - JOUR
T1 - Childhood exposure to constricted living space: a possible environmental threat for myopia development
AU - Choi, Kai Yip
AU - Yu, Wing Yan
AU - Lam, Christie Hang I.
AU - Li, Zhe Chuang
AU - Chin, Man Pan
AU - Lakshmanan, Yamunadevi
AU - Wong, Francisca Siu Yin
AU - Do, Chi Wai
AU - Lee, Hong
AU - Chan, Henry Ho Lung
PY - 2017/9/1
Y1 - 2017/9/1
N2 - Interestingly, East Asian cities with high population densities seem to have higher myopia prevalence, but the association between them has not been established. This study investigated whether the crowded habitat in Hong Kong is associated with refractive error among children. Methods: In total, 1075 subjects [Mean age (S.D.): 9.95 years (0.97), 586 boys] were recruited. Information such as demographics, living environment, parental education and ocular status were collected using parental questionnaires. The ocular axial length and refractive status of all subjects were measured by qualified personnel. Results: Ocular axial length was found to be significantly longer among those living in districts with a higher population density (F2,1072 = 6.15, p = 0.002) and those living in a smaller home (F2,1072 = 3.16, p = 0.04). Axial lengths were the same among different types of housing (F3,1071 = 1.24, p = 0.29). Non-cycloplegic autorefraction suggested a more negative refractive error in those living in districts with a higher population density (F2,1072 = 7.88, p < 0.001) and those living in a smaller home (F2,1072 = 4.25, p = 0.02). After adjustment for other confounding covariates, the population density and home size also significantly predicted axial length and non-cycloplegic refractive error in the multiple linear regression model, while axial length and refractive error had no relationship with types of housing. Conclusions: Axial length in children and childhood refractive error were associated with high population density and small home size. A constricted living space may be an environmental threat for myopia development in children.
AB - Interestingly, East Asian cities with high population densities seem to have higher myopia prevalence, but the association between them has not been established. This study investigated whether the crowded habitat in Hong Kong is associated with refractive error among children. Methods: In total, 1075 subjects [Mean age (S.D.): 9.95 years (0.97), 586 boys] were recruited. Information such as demographics, living environment, parental education and ocular status were collected using parental questionnaires. The ocular axial length and refractive status of all subjects were measured by qualified personnel. Results: Ocular axial length was found to be significantly longer among those living in districts with a higher population density (F2,1072 = 6.15, p = 0.002) and those living in a smaller home (F2,1072 = 3.16, p = 0.04). Axial lengths were the same among different types of housing (F3,1071 = 1.24, p = 0.29). Non-cycloplegic autorefraction suggested a more negative refractive error in those living in districts with a higher population density (F2,1072 = 7.88, p < 0.001) and those living in a smaller home (F2,1072 = 4.25, p = 0.02). After adjustment for other confounding covariates, the population density and home size also significantly predicted axial length and non-cycloplegic refractive error in the multiple linear regression model, while axial length and refractive error had no relationship with types of housing. Conclusions: Axial length in children and childhood refractive error were associated with high population density and small home size. A constricted living space may be an environmental threat for myopia development in children.
KW - childhood refractive error
KW - constricted living space
KW - epidemiology
KW - living environment
KW - myopia
KW - myopia prevalence
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85021227824&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/opo.12397
DO - 10.1111/opo.12397
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 28643407
SN - 0275-5408
VL - 37
SP - 568
EP - 575
JO - Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics
JF - Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics
IS - 5
ER -