Development of Myopia in Medical School



Fesharaki H^{1, 2} ; Kamali B¹ ; Karbasi M¹ ; Fasihi M¹
Source: Asian Journal of Ophthalmology Published:2006

Abstract

Aim: To determine the effect of extensive educational effort involving near work on the progression and emergence of new cases of myopia in medical students. Patients and methods: This longitudinal study was performed on 262 eyes of 131 randomly selected first-year medical students attending Isfahan University, Isfahan, Iran. Eye examinations, including objective and subjective refraction, were performed at the time of study enrolment and again after 5.5 years. Eyes with ≥0.25 D spherical equivalent myopic error were considered to be myopic. Data from the initial and follow-up examinations were compared and analysed using Student's t test and chi-squared test. Results: The prevalence of myopia increased from 46.5% to 64.0% during the study period. The mean myopic progression was 0.20 D per year. Myopic development occurred in 52.5% of the participants. Conclusion: Medical students are at risk for myopic development in medical school. This should be taken into account for prognostic purposes and in relation to refractive surgery. © 2006 Scientific Communications International Limited.