Abstract
Purpose :
In this study we aim to investigate the temporal trend of myopia over the past century in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Also, we study the risk profile of myopic participants and change thereof over generations.
Methods :
We used data from three population based studies within Rotterdam: the Generation R study which consisted of 1652 adolescents born between 2002 and 2006; The Rotterdam Study which consisted of 12390 adults born between 1892 and 1976; and the Generation R Next study which consisted of 431 adult woman born between 1975 and 2002. Myopia was defined as a mean spherical equivalent (SE) of ≤-0.5 D, high myopia was defined as a mean spherical equivalent ≤-6 D. Participants were grouped based on birth year: <1920, 1920-1940,1940-1960,1960-1980,1980-2000,2000-2010. Axial length and ALCR were analyzed separately for men (n=5024) and women (n=6788). Education level was self reported and grouped into low- intermediate and high following the UNESCO classification (ISCED2011). Linear regression analysis corrected for age and gender was used to study the association between myopic risk factors and refractive error and axial length.
Results :
Prevalence of myopia increased from 20% to 56% between1920 and 2000, high myopia increased from 1.97% to 6.8% in this time (figure 1). As can be seen in figure one mean axial length followed a similar trend for both men (<1920 23.43mm; 2000-2010 23.99 mm) and women (<1920 22.96mm; 1980-2000 23.81; 2000-2010 23.52 mm). For participants born between 1920 and 1975, higher level education was associated with a lower SE (low vs intermediate β=0.14, P<0.001; low vs high: β=0.39, P<0.001) and higher AL (low vs intermediate β=-0.031, P=0.5; low vs high: β=-0.14, P=0.01). For participants born between 2000 and 2010 this association flipped for both SE (low vs intermediate β=0.30, P=0.029; low vs high: β=0.39, P=0.005).
Conclusions :
In Rotterdam, our study spanning a century of generations reveals a clear trend of increasing myopia. The relatively low prevalence in the youngest generation (31%) is likely due to age, as the eyes of these adolescents are still growing. Myopia and high myopia prevalence increased by a factor 2.8 in 100 years, corresponding with an increase in mean axial length of 0.9mm in women and 0.7mm in men. Our finding that the association between education and myopia is switching in younger generations needs public attention.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.