Effect of Outdoor Activity in daylight over Myopia Progression in Young People: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract

PURPOSE- To determine the effect of outdoor activities in daylight over myopia progression in young people
METHOD- This prospective observational single centered hospital-based study was conducted in Department of Ophthalmology of Shyam Shah Medical college and associated GM Hospital Rewa, during the period of January 2019 to September 2020. Cycloplegic autorefration with 1% cyclopentolate eye drop followed by subjective refinement of refraction was done and Spherical equivalent was calculated at baseline (Time 1), and then after 6 months (Time 2), and at 1 year (Time 3). Progression of myopia was calculated as the change in spherical equivalent during 1 year. Questionnaire survey about amount of time spent in outdoor activities in daylight was done. Multivariate analysis was done to estimate the adjusted odds ratio for outdoor activities associated with myopia progression.
RESULT-Significant increase in odds of myopia progression was observed in young people with shorter outdoor activity hours (p<0.05).
COCLUSION -Longer duration of outdoor activities in day light has protective effect over myopia progression (p<0.05).