Is myopiamore common in urban than rural area? A comparative study.

ABSTRACT

Aims: To measure the prevalence of acuity of vision for far vision of urbanand rural country side rural school students aged 7–15 years among boy and girls and to explore the prevalence of myopia and compare among both groups. Methods: The Snellen charts were used to assess the vision. Visual acuity of worse than 6/12 in either eye was taken as end point. The studies was carried out in school set up and rural set up. Results: 69 (15.9%) students of urban group and 17[4.1%] of rural group had myopia. Myopia was significantly more among urban group than rural group. Conclusion: The prevalence of myopia is more among urban group than rural group and is consistent finding to those reported in other parts of India and other parts of world. More research is required to find the cause effect relationship. We have just begin to understand the physiological mechanism of myopia especially retinal and other neuro humeral modulating factors and other growth factors regulating the size and shape of sclera and eye ball. In future we expect some novel methods for prevention and treatment of myopia. The will have major impact on VISION 2020 program