PREVALENCE OF MYOPIA AND ITS RISK FACTORS AMONG THE MBBS STUDENTS OF SZMC RYK

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of Myopia among the MBBS students due to long studying hours is a significant issue. It can lead to various challenges including headache, depression and difficulty in studying, as well.
Objective: The objective in this research was to determine the frequency and risk factors of myopia among the MBBS students in the Sheikh Zayed Medical College, Rahim Yar Khan.
Methodology:
Study design: "Cross-sectional study” design was used for this research. Study site: The study was conducted in the Sheikh Zayed Medical College, Rahim Yar Khan. Study subjects: Study subjects were five batches of MBBS with the age group of 17-25. Study duration: The duration was one month after approval of synopsis. Sample size: A sample size of 300 MBBS students was included in this study. Before study, the consent was taken from the subjects. Data collection: The questionnaire was shared via Whatsapp groups to collect information with complete anonymity. Study variables: The variables included age, gender, socioeconomic status, year of study and residence.
Results:
According to our study notable 48% of the students were identified as myopic, highlighting the widespread presence of this condition within the student population. One big reason for myopia was having family members with the same problem. In the study, 41.3% of the students said they had family with myopia, while 49% did not, and 9.7% weren’t sure. This shows that genetics play a major role in whether someone gets myopia or not. The way students behaved also seemed to matter. Most of them, about 65.7%, took breaks while studying, which can help rest the eyes. But 14.3% didn’t take any breaks, and 20% only sometimes did. Also, 30.3% of the students said they studied lying down, which can make it harder to focus and strain the eyes more. Only 11.7% studied in low light, while 58.3% avoided dim light, showing they knew bad lighting isn’t good for the eyes. Using electronic devices, a lot was another big factor. The study found that 48.7% of the students used devices for 3 to 6 hours a day, and 25% used them for more than 6 hours. This much screen time can tire out the eyes and maybe lead to myopia. They also found that 16% of students started using devices in middle school, and 25.7% started in college. The study had both girls (58.7%) and boys (41.3%). Most of the students, about 78.3%, were from cities, and the rest
(21.7%) were from rural areas. This might mean that living in a city could make myopia more likely. The study also looked at how school pressure affects myopia. A lot of the students, about 37.7%, said they felt really pressured to study a lot, which could mean they study too long without breaks. This can make myopia more likely. Also, most students (52.3%) liked to study at night, so they might not get enough natural light and use artificial light more, which can be bad for the eyes. 66.7% awake late at night and about 15% experienced depression. Most of them faced headache after using mobile phones. More than 97% go to bed after 10 PM. About 50% were not using any visual aid. More than 50% had family history. Intake of vitamin A is not common among 70%. These insights underscore the need for targeted educational programs to promote eye health and prevent the progression of myopia within this demographic area. This data highlights significant risk factors and behavioral trends associated with myopia among the student population. Overall, the findings from this study suggest that myopia among MBBS students is influenced by a combination of genetic predispositions and modifiable lifestyle factors, such as study habits, electronic device usage, and environmental conditions. These insights emphasize the need for targeted interventions and educational programs to promote better eye health practices and reduce the incidence of myopia in this demographic area.
Conclusion:
Our study revealed female predominance of myopia. It was significantly associated with positive family history, irregular sleep pattern, long reading hours, increased applicability of electronic gadgets and Vitamin A deficient diet.