Visual Hygiene in Adult Myopes

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate. 1. The importance of visual hygiene in
adult myopes. 2. To find out the association of myopia with posture and visual environment. Main
outcome measures were to evaluate role of visual hygiene, to evaluate the effects of posture in
developing myopia and to evaluate the effects of visual environment in developing myopia.
Methods: This was an institutional based cross sectional study conducted at College of
Ophthalmology and Allied Vision Sciences in the main OPD of Eye Department, Mayo Hospital,
Lahore, during the months of July to September 2016. Total of 100 subjects of both genders aged
between 5-15 years, having Myopia of -1D to -5D were included in the study by using non-
probability convenient sampling technique. All the subjects were asked to fill the questionnaire
containing questions regarding academic performance with and without spectacles. Data was
collected through a self designed questionnaire and analyzed on SPSS software (Version 20.00)
and p value was calculated by one sample t-test and ANOVA.
Results: A total of 100 subjects were checked having myopia of varying degree (1.00-
5.00diopters).The results showed that there was greater degree of myopia in subjects having
poor visual hygiene. The results showed that out of 100 subjects, 98 were into the habit of
cleaning their glasses before wearing them. Positive relationship between myopia development
and reading distance was found. Those who watched TV on daily basis for 3 hours had myopia in
the range of -4.25 to -5.0 D. It was also found that most of the subjects study under bright light.
Higher degree of myopia was found in subjects who were also computer users. Positive
association between posture and myopia development was also found.
Conclusion: The results concludes that poor posture, dim light while studying & excessive use of
computer is significantly related to the degradation of naked vision. This data and whole study
support the assumption that visual hygiene improvement could be useful in minimizing the
myopia development