Prevalence of myopia in an adult population of two different ethnic groups in the Ecuadorian Amazon

摘要

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of myopia in the adult populations of two different ethnic communities in the Ecuadorian Amazon.Methods: Refraction with retinoscopy after cycloplegia was performed for 507 Naporuna (an ethnic group indigenous to the jungles of the Ecuadorian Amazon) and for 776 settlers (white-mestizos from the Andes, now living in the Amazon and working for the petroleum industry). Ages ranged from 18 to 45 years. All subjects had little or no formal education.Results: The prevalence of myopia was 4.7%, among the Naporuna and 5.5% among the settlers: the prevalence of hyperopia was higher, at 17.8% and 36.0%, respectivelyConclusions: The prevalence of myopia in the two communities studied agrees with the results of other studies showing a low prevalence of myopia among groups with low levels of formal education or groups livin a nonurban lifestyle. (C) Japanese Ophthalmological Society 2004.