The Relationship between Myopia and Ocular Alignment among Rural Adolescents

Purpose: The prevalence of myopia in school-age children and rural area in Taiwan has increased dramatically. The aim of this study was to explore the associated factors of myopia in rural adolescents. Methods: A cross sectional design with a rural junior high student was invited to participate in this study. The relationship between refraction error (RE), spectacle fitting condition, and ocular alignment was determined by stereoacuity. The RE was determined using autorefractor. The ocular alignment was evaluated by cover-uncover test. Stereoacuity was measured by Titmus test. The examination about spectacle fitting included the lens power, lens transparency, pupil distance, frame size, and distortion of the frame. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the effect of the spectacle suitability and ocular alignment on the RE and stereoacuity. Results: The prevalence of myopia was 78% in a total of 338 adolescents, and the incidence of high myopia (≤−6 Diopter, D) accounted for 10.2%. Participant worn poor-fitting spectacles were found with more myopia (−3.95D vs −3.42D, p = 0.02). The exophoria or exotropia significantly increased RE (p < 0.01). The eye position was significantly associated with decreased steroacuity function (p = 0.03). Head position demonstrated to have a significant relationship with stereoacuity (p = 0.03). Conclusions: Good-fitting spectacles provided a good visual function and were associated with less RE condition. Exotrope showed a significant correlation with myopia and stereoacuity. The health care providers should be aware of the ocular alignment in myopic suffers.