High myopia linked to higher education levels

San Francisco-Attaining a higher level of education and spending more years in school have been linked to a greater prevalence and severity of myopia, according to a study recently published in Ophthalmology.

According to researchers, 4,658 participants between the ages of 35 and 74 were given a comprehensive questionnaire; a thorough ophthalmic, cardiovascular, psychological, and general examination; and laboratory tests, in order to determine the prevalence and magnitude of myopia in association with the number of years spent in school and level of post-school professional education.

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The results of the study found that 24 percent of participants with no high school education or other training were myopic; 35 percent of high school graduates and vocational school graduates were myopic; and 53 percent of university graduates were myopic. The study also found that the participants who spent more years in school were more myopic, with the myopia worsening for each year of school.

Researchers also looked at the effect of genetics on the degree of myopia, but found education level was a stronger factor.