Body Stature as an Age-Dependent Risk Factor for Myopia in a South Korean Population*

Purpose: To evaluate the association between myopia and risk factors, including anthropometric parameters. Methods: A total of 33,355 Koreans five years of age or more participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008–2012. All participants underwent non-cycloplegic autorefraction and were divided into three age groups (children and adolescents; young adults; adults). Myopia prevalence and risk factors were evaluated. Results: The prevalence of myopia was significantly higher in the taller quintiles of children and adolescents; however, not in young adults or adults in multivariate regression analyses. Higher household income was significantly associated with myopia only in children and adolescents, whereas urban residence and higher education were significantly associated with myopia in young adults and adult-aged subjects. Conclusions: Associations between myopia and sociodemographic factors, such as income and education, varied in each age group, and height remained significantly associated with myopia only in children and adolescents.