Epidemiological investigation of the status of myopia in children and adolescents in Fujian Province in 2020

PURPOSE: The 2020 epidemiological investigation of myopia in children and adolescents in Fujian Province’ aimed to provide reference guidelines for the prevention and control of myopia. The purpose of the present study was to address shortfalls in the epidemiological survey of myopia in Fujian and provide a basis for government decision making. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional and epidemiological investigation METHODS: Based on their levels of economic development and other economic factors, three cities in Fujian Province (Fuzhou, Xiamen, Longyan) were chosen through cluster random sampling and epidemiological investigation. Final analysis included 41,906 cases. Examinations including visual acuity and mydriatic optometry were performed on all subjects. RESULTS: The overall proportion of myopia was 63.35% in boys and 70.55% in girls living in Fujian in 2020. The proportions of myopia in Xiamen and Longyan were similar; both cities showed a higher proportion of myopic cases than Fuzhou. The proportion of girls with myopia was higher than boys. The proportion of primary and middle school students with myopia was higher in economically developed regions compared with underdeveloped regions. The proportion of urban students with myopia was higher than in suburban students. Analysis showed that the prevalence of myopia increased with age. Interestingly, the prevalence of myopia was higher in children born in June and August than in children born in other months. CONCLUSION: Children and adolescents in Fujian have a high rate of myopia which increases as the school grade increases. The better the economic conditions are, the higher the myopic rate. In addition, the myopic rate is higher in girls in and students born in June and August. The government, schools, hospitals, and parents should be alerted to this issue and coordinate to control the risk of myopia exacerbation and improve eyesight conditions of students in Fujian Province.