The influence of near-work on development of myopia among university students. A three-year longitudinal study among engineering students in Norway

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of near-work o n development and progression of myopia among adults exposed to high educat ional demands. Methods: A three-year longitudinal refraction study was performed among 224 Norwegian engineering students (mean age 20.6 years 117 females and 107 ma les) measuring their refraction at the beginning and the end of the period. The examinations included automated and clinical refraction in cycloplegia and a questionnaire regarding time spent on different kinds of near-work w as filled in by the participants. A total of 192 students (100 females and 92 males) completed the study. Results: The mean refractive change of -0.51+/-0.49 D (n=192) during the th ree-year period was statistically significant (p=0.0001). A significant rel ationship between refractive change towards myopia and time spent on readin g scientific literature (p less than or equal to 0.001) and on practical ne ar-work (p less than or equal to 0.05), respectively, was found. Also, a si gnificant relationship between refractive change towards myopia and time sp ent at lectures was revealed (p less than or equal to 0.001). No relationsh ip was found between refractive change and time spent at working with video display terminals (VDT) or watching television, respectively. Conclusions: The results indicate that intensive near-work could initiate m yopia or lead to its progression in young adults. The time spent on near-wo rk seems to play a significant role in that process.