Myopia among Adults. Prevalence and Risk Factors

Academic Paper from the year 2023 in the subject Medicine - Ophthalmology, , language: English, abstract: Today, with increasing level of education and living standard, the prevalence & severity of myopia appear to be an upward trend. Although the mechanisms of development and progression of myopia remain uncertain, environmental factors such as a higher level of education, more near-work, and lesser outdoor activities, could be associated with myopia. This study sought to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of myopia among KNUST students in Kumasi- Ghana.

In this cross-sectional study, 307 Students of KNUST aged between 17 and 35 years were randomly recruited. Information on near work, indoor and outdoor activities and well as sleep duration and habits and use of visual aids was obtained using myopia risk factor questionnaire. Non-cycloplegic refraction was performed using autorefraction technique. Myopia was defined as spherical equivalent refraction (SER) ¿-0.50 D. Data were analyzed for 307 (male: 155 and female: 152) students with full relevant data.