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1 From the Departments of Community, Occupational, and Family Medicine and 6 Ophthalmology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore; the 2 Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Republic of Singapore; the 3 Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Republic of Singapore; 4 The Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom; and 5 PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper, Kerinci, Indonesia.
| Abstract |
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METHODS. A population-based prevalence survey of 1043 adults 21 or more years of age was conducted in five rural villages and one provincial town of the Riau Province, Sumatra, Indonesia. A one-stage household cluster sampling procedure was used wherein 100 households were selected from each village or town. Refractive error measurements were obtained with one of two handheld autorefractors. Household interviews were conducted to obtain information on relevant lifestyle risk factors.
RESULTS. The age-adjusted overall prevalence rates of myopia (SE [spherical equivalent] at least -1.0 D), hyperopia (SE of at least +1.0 D), astigmatism (cylinder of at least -1.0 D), and anisometropia (SE difference of +1.0 D) were 26.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 23.4-28.8), 9.2% (95% CI: 7.4-11.0), 18.5% (95% CI: 16.2-20.8), and 15.1% (95% CI: 12.9-17.4), respectively. The age-adjusted overall prevalence rate of high myopia (SE at least -6.0 D) was 0.8% (95% CI: 0.2-1.5). In a multiple logistic regression model, myopia rates varied with age and increased with income. Hyperopia, astigmatism, and anisometropia rates were independently higher in older adults.
CONCLUSIONS. The prevalence rates of myopia in provincial Sumatra are higher than the rates in white populations, but lower than the rates in other urbanized Asian countries such as Singapore. The prevalence rate of high myopia is lower than in most other populations, and other refractive errors are common.
| Introduction |
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The relative influence of "nature" versus "nurture" on myopia has intrigued researchers for decades.7 Evidence for nearwork as a risk factor for myopia from previous epidemiologic studies has produced mixed results.8 9 10 11 One hypothesis is that the high prevalence rates of myopia in urban areas of Asia (Singapore and Taiwan) could be attributable to both a hereditary predisposition of the Asian population and an intensely competitive schooling system.4 5 However, the exact nature of the environmental and genetic factors that contribute to myopia are unknown.
There is little known about the prevalence rates of refractive errors in developing countries in Southeast Asia. We sought to examine the prevalence rates and risk factors for refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and anisometropia) in provincial Indonesians who are similar in ethnic origin to Singapore Malays, but are subject to different environmental influences. This survey was conducted in a provincial area of Riau Province, Sumatra (3.9 million inhabitants), one of the largest islands in the Western part of Indonesia (total population, 195 million), 240 km from Singapore and on the same latitude.
| Methods |
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Eye Examinations
The eye examinations were performed in the village houses by a trained team of nurses and technicians. An ophthalmologist (GG) and optometrist (MF) from Singapore supervised and trained the Indonesian team on several occasions in the measurement of visual acuity and refraction. Repeated review and testing of the quality of all technicians performances were conducted. Corrected and uncorrected distance visual acuity was measured in good lighting conditions (outside the village hut) using tumbling "E" log minimum angle of resolution (MAR) charts for each eye separately, according to a standard protocol.12
Autorefraction measurements in the right and left eye were performed using one of two handheld autorefractors (Retinomax K-plus; Nikon, Tokyo, Japan), and the average of eight refractive error readings was taken.13
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No cycloplegia was instilled. The team members performing the eye examinations were masked to lifestyle information from the questionnaire.
Household Interview
Trained interviewers conducted household interviews using the same questionnaire. The questionnaire was translated to Bahasa Indonesian and back-translated into English. Demographic data included age, gender, and total household income per month. Information was also obtained on possible surrogates of nearwork activity, specifically completed educational level, whether the individual was literate, and the number of books and number of pages read per week in the past year.
Definitions and Data Analysis
SE was defined as refractive error +0.5 negative cylinder. Myopia was categorized as follows: SE at least -0.5, -0.75, and -1.0 D. Hyperopia was defined as follows: SE at least +0.5, +0.75, and +1.0. Astigmatism was defined as at least -0.5, -0.75, and -1.0 cylinder, and anisometropia was defined as the difference in SE between the right and left eyes of 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 D. There was a high correlation between right and left eye refractive error data (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.75). Results from analyzing right and left eyes separately were found to be similar; thus, only results of the right eye are presented. The prevalence rates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and anisometropia in subjects with different characteristics were calculated, allowing for clustering by village and households. Age-adjusted prevalence rates were derived with the 1990 Indonesian census population used as the reference standard. The crude and multivariate odds ratios with 95% CIs denoting the associations between the various risk factors and myopia (SE at least -1.0 D), hyperopia (SE at least +1.0 D), astigmatism (cylinder at least +1.0 D), and anisometropia (SE difference of at least 1.0 D) were calculated. Multivariate adjusted odds ratios were obtained from multiple logistic regression models, allowing for clustering by village and household. All statistical analyses were performed using commercially available software (Stata, ver.7.0; Stata Corp., College Station, TX).15
| Results |
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The overall mean refractive error was -0.48 D (Table 1) . The mean refractive error in adults aged 21 to 29 years was -0.68 D compared with -0.47 D in adults aged 50 or more years. The mean cylinder was higher in older adults (P < 0.001). The majority of myopic adults (defined as SE at least -1.0 D) had lower myopia (SE -1.0 D to -2.9 D or less; 88.6%); while a smaller proportion had higher myopia (SE -3.0 D to -5.9 D or less; 9.1%) and high myopia (at least -6.0 D; 2.4%). The rates of hyperopia (SE at least +1.0 D) were higher in older adults, whereas the rates of myopia (SE at least -1.0 D) were lowest in adults aged 30 to 49 years. (Fig. 1) .
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| Discussion |
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In any comparison of prevalence rates between surveys, we must note differences in the definitions of myopia, varying age compositions of the study population, refractive error measurement techniques and study methodology. Using the more conservative definition of myopia of SE of at least -1.0 D, the myopia rate in Sumatra in adults older than 40 years was 22.3%, whereas rates in Singapore Chinese were 31.9%, and rates in Australians were 13%.16 17 If a marginal but more commonly used definition of myopia is applied (SE at least -0.5 D), the prevalence rate of myopia (SE at least -0.5 D) in 21- to 29-year-olds in Sumatra was 61.6%, whereas the myopia rate in 16- to 25-year-old Singapore Malay military conscripts was 65.0%.4 The rates of myopia were 82.2% in Singapore Chinese military conscripts (using the same definition) and 84% in 16- to 18-year-old Chinese in Taiwan (defined as SE at least -0.25 D).4 5 The prevalence rates of myopia were 34.1% in adults aged 40 years and more, and 17% to 28.0% in adults aged 40 or more years in the United States and Australia, respectively.2 16 The prevalence rates of myopia are apparently higher in Asians (Singapore Chinese, Singapore Malays, and Indonesians), who may have a genetic predisposition to myopia.4 Income is positively associated with myopia after adjustment for other factors, such as age and gender. Total family income may be a surrogate for nearwork activity, because adults with higher income may read more. An alternative explanation is that refractive errors (especially if uncorrected) may affect vision and functional ability, thus lowering work performance and income earned.
The prevalence rates of myopia are higher in younger adults and lower in more elderly adults, similar to the pattern in other populations (Baltimore Eye Survey, Beaver Dam Eye Study, Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study, Visual Impairment Project, Tanjong Pagar Survey).2 3 6 16 17 Although an increasing prevalence rate of myopia in Asia over time, possibly due to increasing nearwork activity,9 10 18 has been widely inferred from cross-sectional studies, a review of Western data suggests that differences in prevalence rates at different ages could be due to intrinsic age-related decreases in the amount of an individuals myopia.19 Longitudinal data from cohort studies are needed to further evaluate possible age or cohort effects.
A noteworthy finding is that the prevalence rate of high myopia (SE at least -6.0 D) in provincial Sumatra was 0.8%. In contrast, when similar definitions were used, the rates in young Singapore military recruits were 5.0% in Malays and 14.8% in Chinese, 9.1% in Singapore Chinese aged 40 or more years (SE at least -5.0 D), and 12.6% in adults older than 40 years in Australia (SE at least -5.0 D).4 16 17 Myopia may not be a large public health problem in Sumatra, because potentially blinding complications, such as myopic macular degeneration, cataract, glaucoma, and retinal tears are associated with high myopia, which is uncommon in Sumatra.20 21
The rates of hyperopia in different countries should be compared with caution, because the measurement methods, study subgroups, and sampling strategies differ. When the more marginal definition of hyperopia of SE at least +0.5 D was used, the prevalence rate of hyperopia in Sumatra was 2.6% in 21- to 29-year-olds, compared with 1.0% in young Singapore Malay conscripts and 0.7% in young Singapore Chinese conscripts.4 For adults 40 years of age and older, the prevalence rates of hyperopia in Sumatra were 32.1%. The rates in Australia and Singapore Chinese 40 years and above were 37% and 28.4%, respectively.16 17 The patterns with age, income, and education are in the reverse direction of the trends of myopia, the converse of the case with hyperopia. Variations with age, income, and education are similar to those found in other eye surveys,2 3 although in our study, income and education were not associated with hyperopia, after controlling for age and gender.
Using the marginal definition of astigmatism (cylinder at least -0.5 D), the prevalence rates of astigmatism in Sumatra were 35.8% compared with 27.8% and 44.2% in young Singapore Malay and Chinese conscripts, respectively.4 However, this comparison is limited by differences in methodology, year of conduct of survey and age groups studied. Similar to other studies, patterns of higher rates of astigmatism in older adults were seen in Sumatra. A cause could be higher rates of astigmatism associated with increasing levels of lens opacities with age.2 3 6 17 Alternatively, there may be a cohort effect with lower rates of astigmatism in the younger compared with the older generation. As expected, astigmatism rates did not vary with income, gender, or educational level in multivariate regression models.2 When the same definitions are used, the prevalence rate of anisometropia (SE difference at least +1.0 D) in 21- to 29-year-old Sumatrans was 8.8%, whereas the rate in young Singapore Malay military conscripts was 7.3%.
One strength of the current study is that the participation rate in the eye survey was high (83.4%). A potential criticism is that nonoptimal refractive error measurements were noncycloplegic in nature, and there may be an overestimation of myopia rates in younger adults who may have excessive residual accommodation. Thus, more conservative definitions of myopia (SE at least -1.0 D), hyperopia (SE at least +1.0 D), astigmatism (cylinder at least -1.0 D), and anisometropia (SE difference at least +1.0 D) were used in the multivariate regression models. A validation study of noncycloplegic and cycloplegic autorefraction was performed on 670 young Singapore military conscripts (average age 19.5 years), and the intraclass correlation coefficient for refractive error (SE) was very high at 0.99, suggesting that even in young Asian subjects, this was not a major source of error.4 If there is any error in noncycloplegic refraction measures, this may result in an overestimation of the prevalence rates of myopia and anisometropia, especially in younger adults. For example, we could project that the expected prevalence rate of myopia (SE at least -0.5 D) in adults aged 21 to 29 years in Sumatra may be lower than the observed 61.6%, when compared with rates of 65.0% in Singapore Malay conscripts aged 16 to 25 years.4 In the comparison of rates derived from cycloplegic refraction measures in other adult populations, we should allow for a possible error due to noncycloplegic refractions in Sumatra and a rate lower than that observed.
The accuracy of the handheld autorefractor was determined previously in a validation study, and the average refractive error was 0.28 D more "plus" on average compared with subjective refraction.14 In a validation study of the handheld Retinomax K-plus (Nikon, Tokyo, Japan) in 67 Singapore adults aged 21 to 40 years, the Spearman correlation coefficient of the handheld autorefractor (SE) and stand-alone Topcon (Topcon Optical, Tokyo, Japan) autorefractor (SE) was 0.97, whereas the Spearman correlation coefficient of the handheld autorefractor (SE) and subjective refraction (SE) was 0.96 (personal communication, Mohamed Farook, 2001). In a further validation study of the handheld Retinomax K-plus (Nikon, Tokyo, Japan), the Spearman correlation coefficient of the handheld autorefractor and subjective refraction of 676 Singapore Chinese adults 40 years and older in the Tanjong Pagar study was 0.95 (personal communication, Paul Foster, 2001). An unavoidable limitation of this study is that ocular axial lengths are not available, and therefore a correlation of function with anatomy is not possible.
Refractive error is a significant public health problem in Indonesia that may have an impact on visual function and activities of daily living. If refractive errors are undercorrected or remain uncorrected, optimal visual function may be compromised in a large proportion of individuals. This may arise in a rural population from inadequate access to both testing facilities and spectacles. Measures should be taken to improve the training of ophthalmologists, optometrists, and nurses in rural settings and to increase the awareness of the general public of the availability and affordability of corrective lenses. Because refractive error can be easily treated, increased attention to the detection and correction of this eye disorder is indicated in rural Indonesian populations.
In summary, the myopia (SE at least -1.0 D) prevalence rates in our survey in provincial Sumatra (26.1%) were apparently higher than the rates in white populations but lower than the rates in other Asian countries such as Singapore. Of the myopes in this provincial Asian population, the majority (97.6%) had low myopia and a very small proportion (2.4%) had high myopia. Other refractive errors (hyperopia, astigmatism, and anisometropia) were common and variations with age, education, and income were similar to that of other Asian and white populations.
| Acknowledgements |
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| Footnotes |
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Submitted for publication March 13, 2002; revised May 22, 2002; accepted June 3, 2002.
Commercial relationships policy: N.
The publication costs of this article were defrayed in part by page charge payment. This article must therefore be marked "advertisement" in accordance with 18 U.S.C.
1734 solely to indicate this fact.
Corresponding author: Seang-Mei Saw, Department of Community, Occupational and Family Medicine, National University of Singapore, 16 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Republic of Singapore; cofsawsm{at}nus.edu.sg.
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