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The Prevalence of Myopia Among Finnish Conscripts Remains Low, Despite Forecasts of Increasing Prevalence. Why is it Lower than in Many Southeast- and East Asian Countries?
Background: The prevalence of myopia is increasing globally. According to WHO predictions, there will be 4.758 billion myopic worldwide by 2050. In many countries in East and Southeast Asia, around 80% of school leavers are myopic, and WHO predictions suggest that countries in Europe will attain these levels by 2050. We have, therefore, studied the prevalence of myopia among Finnish conscripts.
Methods: Refraction in cycloplegia and associated factors were studied among 1286 male conscripts in a Finnish garrison. A written questionnaire asked about education, time spent near work, using smartphones, and outdoors. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze risk factors for myopia.
Findings: The Prevalence of myopia was 23∙5%, and 0∙4% had high myopia. The main significant risk factors for myopia (adjusted OR; 95% CI) were near work time, OR 1∙156 (1∙085-1∙232), limited time outdoors 0∙823 (0∙754-0∙893), and basic vs. higher education 0∙165 (0∙046-0∙580). Smartphone use increased the risk of myopia among the better educated and decreased it among the less educated.
Interpretation: In contrast to predictions, the prevalence of myopia in Finnish recruits was low. More time spent near work and little outdoors increased the risk of myopia. The effect of smartphone usage increased myopia among the more educated and decreased it in the less educated. Comparing lives of Finnish children with Asian peers with a high prevalence of myopia suggests that lower educational pressures with less near workload, and more time spent on outdoor activities, particularly in the early years, may be the reason for the relatively low prevalence of myopia in the Finnish army recruits. This suggesting that early emphasis on increased time outdoors instead of much near work may help to prevent the rapid development of myopia.
Funding: Funding was received from Eye Foundation Finland, Eye and Tissue Bank Finland, Evald and Hilda Nissi Foundation.
Declaration of Interest: None to declare.
Ethical Approval: Ethics approval was granted, approval number HUS/1276/2021, date 28.4.2021. Signed informed consent was given at the end of the questionnaire.
Keywords: Myopia, nearsightedness, global prevalence, time outdoors, time nearwork, smartphone use
Pärssinen, Olavi and Franssila, Marja-Liisa and Nordhausen, Klaus and Mattinen, Mika and Sovelius, Roope and Kauppinen, Markku and Moilanen, Jukka and Setälä, Niko and Morgan, Ian G., The Prevalence of Myopia Among Finnish Conscripts Remains Low, Despite Forecasts of Increasing Prevalence. Why is it Lower than in Many Southeast- and East Asian Countries?. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4927755 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4927755