School grades and myopia.

Full Abstract

AIM:
To evaluate the association between school performance and myopia in Singapore children.

METHODS:
Children aged 10-12 years from two schools in the Singapore Cohort study Of the Risk factors for Myopia (SCORM) were included. Results of a Year 4 standard nation-wide examination were obtained. Cycloplegic autorefraction and A-scan ultrasound biometry measurements were performed in the schools.

RESULTS:
The odds ratio for myopia (defined as right eye spherical equivalent at least -0.5 D) was 2.5 (95% confidence interval 1.4-4.5) for children with average school examination scores in the fourth quartile compared with the first, after adjusting for confounders including reading in books per week and IQ test scores. Similar significant associations were found for English language (p = 0.001) and native language school examination scores (p < 0.001), while the associations with mathematics school examination scores were of borderline significance (p = 0.055).

CONCLUSION:
School grades, a possible indicator of either cumulative engagement in near work activity or intelligence, were positively associated with myopia in Singapore children.

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Author information

Author/s: Saw, Seang-Mei (SM); Cheng, Angela (A); Fong, Allan (A); Gazzard, Gus (G); Tan, Donald T H (DT); Morgan, Ian (I);

Affiliation: Department of Community, Occupational and Family Medicine, National University of Singapore, 16 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597. cofsawsm(-atsign-)nus.edu.sg

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Ophthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists) (Ophthalmic Physiol Opt), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Mar; vol 27 (issue 2) : pp 126-9

Dates: Created 2007/02/27; Completed 2007/08/13;

PMID: 17324201, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Educational Status
Humans
Myopia - epidemiology
Singapore - epidemiology

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