Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate the association between school performance and myopia in Singapore children.
Methods: :
Children (n= 740) aged 10 to 12 years from 2 schools in the Singapore Cohort study Of the Risk factors for Myopia (SCORM) were included in this cross–sectional study. Baseline risk factors were assessed using a parent–administered questionnaire and the results of a Year 4 standard nation–wide examination were obtained. Cycloplegic table–mounted autorefraction and A–scan ultrasound biometry measurements were made.
Results: :
The risk of myopia (right eye spherical equivalent at least –0.5 Diopters) was 2.5 times (95% confidence interval, p= 0.001) higher for children with total examinations marks in the fourth quartile compared with the first quartile, after adjusting for factors including reading in books per week and IQ test scores. Similar significant associations were found for individual English language OR = 2.0 (p= 0.001) and Mother Tongue marks OR = 2.6 (p<0.001), while the associations with Mathematics scores were of borderline significance OR = 1.9 (p= 0.057).
Conclusions: :
School grades, a possible indicator of cumulative lifetime engagement in near work activity, were positively associated with myopia in Singapore children.