DR.DIVYA AGARWAL

Dr. ROHIT SAXENA, Dr.Vivek Gupta

Abstract

Background: There continues to be uncertainty about the magnitude of myopia in Indian school-going population and its trend/change over time and regional variations.

Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted on studies from 1982 to March 2020. Data was gathered into 5-year age groups, in urban or rural populations, and standardized to ≥ -0.50 dioptre. Random effects meta-analysis was done.

Results: We included data from 59 quality assessed studies. The overall crude prevalence of myopia over last four decades is 7.5% in 5-15-year age group, 8.4% (95% CI 7.0- 9. 7%) in urban and 6.0% (95% CI 4.4- 7.5%) in rural children, with highest prevalence in urban 11-15-year age group [15.0%]. A significant increment in prevalence is noted in the last decade in rural children from 4.2% to 7.0%.

Conclusion: Myopia is a major health problem in both urban and rural adolescents. A significant increase in rural children in the last decade reflects urbanization of Indian villages.

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