# Evaluation of myopia status and eye use behavior in school-age and preschool children

## TL;DR

This study found that nearly 5% of children aged 3–10 in Ningxia have myopia, with school-age children more affected than preschoolers.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific behavioral and environmental risk factors for myopia in young children in Ningxia.

## Key findings

- Myopia prevalence was 4.9% in children aged 3–10, with school-age children having a higher rate (6.3%) than preschoolers (3.7%).
- Risk factors include parental myopia, academic stress, and prolonged use of electronic devices and e-books.
- Protective factors include reasonable reading distance and not staying up late.

## Abstract

The aim of this research was to assess the incidence of myopia and associated behavioral risk factors among school-aged and preschool children in Ningxia.

Our survey conducted a comprehensive cross-sectional study utilizing questionnaires to investigate the risk factors for myopia in children aged 3–10, both in preschool and school-age, based on parental reports of their children’s myopia status. The logistic regression model analysis was performed using myopia as dependent variables.

In Ningxia, the prevalence of myopia among preschool and school-age children stood at 4.9%. Specifically, the rate for school-age children (6.3%) was notably higher than that for preschool children (3.7%), with the difference being statistically significant (P < 0.05). The results of the logistic regression analysis indicated that senior grade, parental myopia, academic stress, playing electronic products, reading e-books for a long time, eye fatigue and less outdoor activities were risk factors for myopia, while not staying up late and reasonable reading distance (33–35 cm) were protective factors for myopia.

The incidence of myopia among children aged 3–10 in Ningxia is 4.9%. Additionally, a child’s likelihood of developing myopia is influenced by whether their parents have myopia. Reading e-books and long-term exposure to electronic products are associated with myopia; Eye fatigue and academic stress are also important factors affecting myopia.