Abstract
Purpose: :
To estimate the prevalence rate and the risk factors of high myopia in 19 years old men in Southeast area of Korea.
Methods: :
This study was conducted with serial cross-sectional data based on medical checkup for conscription by the Military Manpower Administration of Korea from January 2002 to December 2004. Study subjects were the total number of 19 years old men in Southeast Korea(Gyeongnam province, Ulsan and Busan metropolitan city). Three years health checkup data for conscription consisted of noncycloplegic autorefraction test, biometric factors and social factors. We classified biometric factors as quartile groups, blood pressure as 4 groups by 7th report of JNC, BMI as 5 groups by WHO criteria and social factors as 3 groups, respectively. High myopia was defined as a spherical equivalent(SE) of less than -6.0D. Data was analyzed with chi square test for trend and multiple logistic regression using SPSS for win (12.0) program.
Results: :
The prevalence rates of high myopia were 8.0% (5,311/60,786) in 2002, 8.4% (5,091/55,348) in 2003 and 9.5% (5,151/48,968) in 2004. The adjusted risk factors of high myopia were small city residence (OR=1.51, 95% CI 1.31-1.74 in 2002; OR=1.73, 95% CI 1.49-2.00 in 2003; OR=1.61, 95% CI 1.39-1.86 in 2004), students of 4-year-course university and over (OR=4.89, 95% CI 4.40-5.44 in 2002; OR=3.98, 95% CI 3.57-4.44 in 2003; OR=3.58, 95%CI 3.19-4.02 in 2004) and stage 1 hypertension (OR=1.14, 95% CI 1.03-1.25 in 2002; OR=1.23, 95% CI 1.09-1.40 in 2003; OR=1.30, 95% CI 1.13-1.49 in 2004).
Conclusions: :
The prevalence rates of high myopia in 19 years men in Southeast area of Korea were increased gradually and influenced by social factors and blood pressure. Almost one tenth of young men were high myopia as risk factor of visual loss. Further studies and effective health strategies are needed to prevent and improve for the eye health of young persons.
Keywords: myopia • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: prevalence/incidence