Abstract:
Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of screening-detected myopia and suspected insufficient hyperopic reserve among schoolchildren aged 6-14 years in Chengdu from 2022 to 2024, and to provide data to inform the implementation of early myopia prevention and control strategies.
Methods From 2022 to 2024, a total of 110654 children aged 6-14 years were recruited from 23 districts, cities, and counties of Chengdu using stratified cluster random sampling. The participants underwent hyperopia examination and non-cycloplegic autorefraction.
Results From 2022 to 2024, the overall spherical equivalent (SE) of myopic children aged 6-14 years was -1.81 (-2.56, -1.06) D (median P25, P75), with a statistically significant difference across age groups (H = 52.82, P < 0.001). The overall myopia detection rate was 47.32%, increasing from 9.50% among 6-year-old participants to 79.45% among 14-year-old participants. The myopia detection rate rose gradually with increasing age, with the trend test showing statistical significance (χ2 for trend = 2697.59, P < 0.001). The myopia detection rate was 44.91% in boys and 49.82% in girls, with a statistically significant difference between the sexes (χ2 = 267.09, P < 0.001). Among non-myopic children aged 6-14 years, the overall SE was 0 (-0.38, 0.44) D, with a statistically significant difference across participants of different ages (H = 129.18, P < 0.001). The overall detection rate of suspected insufficient hyperopic reserve in non-myopic children was 53.09%. The detection rate increased gradually from 37.62% among 6-year-old participants to a peak of 68.13% among 13-year-old participants and then declined to 66.99% at among 14-year-old participants, exhibiting a significant difference across the age groups (χ2 = 16626.19, P < 0.001). Among non-myopic children aged 6-14 years, the detection rate of suspected insufficient hyperopic reserve was 53.05% in boys and 53.13% in girls, with a statistically significant difference between the sexes (χ2 = 81.50, P < 0.001). The detection rate of suspected insufficient hyperopic reserve among nonmyopic children was significantly higher in suburban/county areas (55.93%) than that in urban areas (50.90%) (χ2 = 145.38, P < 0.001).
Conclusion From 2022 to 2024, the prevalence of myopia among schoolchildren aged 6-14 years in Chengdu remained relatively high. Insufficient hyperopic reserve and premature depletion of hyperopic reserve were common, with a clear trend toward an earlier age of onset. Myopia prevention and control should therefore be initiated at an earlier stage, with comprehensive interventions implemented from the preschool and early primary school years.