Refractive errors in medical students

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Refractive errors are becomingmore of a problem in many societies, withprevalence rates of myopia in many Asian urbancountries reaching epidemic proportions. Thisstudy aims to determine the prevalence ratesof various refractive errors in Singapore medicalstudents.Methods: 157 second year medical students(aged 19-23 years) in Singapore were examined.Refractive error measurements were determinedusing a stand-alone autorefractor. Additionaldemographical data was obtained via questionnairesfilled in by the students.Results: The prevalence rate of myopia inSingapore medical students was 89.8 percent(Spherical equivalence (SE) at least -0.50D).Hyperopia was present in 1.3 percent (SE morethan +0.50D) of the participants and the overallastigmatism prevalence rate was 82.2 percent(Cylinder at least 0.50D).Conclusion: Prevalence rates of myopia andastigmatism in second year Singapore medicalstudents are one of the highest in the world.Keywords: astigmatism, epidemiology, myopia,prevalence rates