Abstract
Purpose::
To evaluate the Prevalence and Causes of Myopia in Children of Asian Indian Descent and evaluate the role of Genetics and Dietary Habits - Multivitamin Usage & Fortified & Non Fortified Food consumption
Methods::
112 children of 178 Parents ( 89 Pairs) from a Spelling Bee Group & Sunday School Group were surveyed for Myopia among Parents & Children, Age & Sexes of Children, Age of Onset of Myopia among Parents & Children, Dietary Food Habits & Multivitamin Usage, Children's Heights & Weights. The results were compared for Prevalence of Myopia among the different variables.
Results::
Survey among 89 Parents ( 178 Individuals) & their 112 Children from 6 - 20 years showed 73/178 ( 41%) Parents & 63/112( 56%) Children had Myopia showing Higher prevalence among Children.34/66 (51%)Boys & 29/46(63%) Girls have Myopia. Age wise 29/66(44%) of 6-10yrs & 34/46( 74%)11-20yrs had Myopia Heightwise 4/19( 21%) 3'1" - 4'0", 35/56(63%) 4'1"-5'0" & 23/33( 69%) 5'1"-6'0" showing Increase in Myopia with Heightand Older Age.Weightwise among Children Average Weight among Girls with Myopia was 89 lbs & No Myopia 82 lbs and Boys with Myopia 93 lbs& No myopia 79 lbs showing Myopia associated with Larger Weight. Parents Average Height was 5'7" (Dad) & 5'2"(Mom) & Children 5'10"(Boys) & 5'4"(Girls) with projected Height at 25 yrs. with Children Taller than their Parents.The Dietary habits analysis showed among Myopic Children with Multivitamin Usage had Average Refractive Error - 3.8D while those Myopic children without Multivitamin Usage - 3.00D showing almost a 1.0 Diopter more Myopia among Children with Multivitamin Usage. The Fortified Diet consumption was 42% among Non Myopic Children & 33% Among Myopic Children of Non Myopic Parents showing Fortified Food consumption having Protective influence on Prevalence of Myopia among the Children of Nonmyopic Parents.
Conclusions::
Compared to their Parents the Prevalence of Myopia is Greater among of Children of Asian Indian Descent, Myopia appears Earlier in age and corresponds to the Growing Heights and Larger Weights of these Children. Usage of Multivitamins seems to effect Negatively while Fortified Food Consumption had Protective Effect among the children of this Survey Population.
Keywords: myopia • refractive error development • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: prevalence/incidence