Dr. SAROJ GUPTA

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of myopia not only poses a huge social and economic burden but also predisposes them to the sight threatening complications of myopia.This study was undertaken to analyze risk factors associated with development and progression of myopia in children presenting to outpatient department of a tertiary care center.It was a longitudinal prospective observational study.Children, between 7 -14 years of age with myopia- 0.5D or worse were included in the study.Total 750 children were enrolled over the period of 1 year.Time spent in outdoor activities during weekdays and weekends (hour/day) was recorded.Variables analyzed were -age of onset of myopia, degree of myopia, hours of outdoor activity and progression of myopia. Follow up was done every 6 monthly interval, for 2 years. Progression of myopia was defined as the difference in final refraction and initial refraction. Outdoor activity was found to be negatively but significantly related to degree of myopia .