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BMC Ophthalmology
Published in: BMC Ophthalmology 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research article

Effect of outdoor activity on myopia onset and progression in school-aged children in northeast china: the sujiatun eye care study

Authors: Ju-Xiang Jin, Wen-Juan Hua, Xuan Jiang, Xiao-Yan Wu, Ji-Wen Yang, Guo-Peng Gao, Yun Fang, Chen-Lu Pei, Song Wang, Jie-Zheng Zhang, Li-Ming Tao, Fang-Biao Tao

Published in: BMC Ophthalmology | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

Due to its high prevalence and associated sight-threatening pathologies, myopia has emerged as a major health issue in East Asia. The purpose was to test the impact on myopia development of a school-based intervention program aimed at increasing the time student spent outdoors.

Methods

A total of 3051 students of two primary (grades 1-5, aged 6-11) and two junior high schools (grades 7-8, aged 12-14) in both urban and rural Northeast China were enrolled. The intervention group (n = 1735) unlike the control group (n = 1316) was allowed two additional 20-min recess programs outside the classroom. A detailed questionnaire was administered to parents and children. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was measured using an E Standard Logarithm Vision Acuity Chart (GB11533-2011) at baseline, 6-month and 1-year intervals. A random subsample (n = 391) participated in the clinic visits and underwent cycloplegia at the beginning and after 1 year.

Results

The mean UCVA for the entire intervention group was significantly better than the entire control group after 1 year (P < 0.001). In the subgroup study, new onset of myopia and changes in refractive error towards myopia were direction during the study period was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (3.70 % vs. 8.50 %, P = 0.048; -0.10 ± 0.65 D/year vs. -0.27 ± 0.52 D/year, P = 0.005). Changes in axial length and IOP were also significantly lower following the intervention group (0.16 ± 0.30 mm/year vs. 0.21 ± 0.21 mm/year, P = 0.034; -0.05 ± 2.78 mmHg/year vs. 0.67 ± 2.21 mmHg/year, P = 0.006).

Conclusions

Increasing outdoor activities prevented myopia onset and development, as well as axial growth and elevated IOP in children.

Trial registration

Current controlled trials NCT02271373.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
Effect of outdoor activity on myopia onset and progression in school-aged children in northeast china: the sujiatun eye care study
Authors
Ju-Xiang Jin
Wen-Juan Hua
Xuan Jiang
Xiao-Yan Wu
Ji-Wen Yang
Guo-Peng Gao
Yun Fang
Chen-Lu Pei
Song Wang
Jie-Zheng Zhang
Li-Ming Tao
Fang-Biao Tao
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Ophthalmology / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2415
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-015-0052-9

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