Myopia among the Inuit population of East Greenland

ABSTRACT. Purpose: To follow the refraction values in an indigenous population group over the course of the past 50 years. Method: Case records from a population investigation carried out in Ammasalik, East Greeland, by Erik Skeller in 1950 were studied initially, a total of 1123 eyes were examined...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica
Main Author: Norn, Mogens
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Wiley 1997
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0420.1997.tb00639.x
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Summary:ABSTRACT. Purpose: To follow the refraction values in an indigenous population group over the course of the past 50 years. Method: Case records from a population investigation carried out in Ammasalik, East Greeland, by Erik Skeller in 1950 were studied initially, a total of 1123 eyes were examined by sciascopy and 244 eyes could be followed sufficiently until about 1990–94. Result: The mean refraction was initially +0.08D, while at the last examination the mean had increased to +0.69D. Initially, there was no myopia, defined as at least −1.5D, and at follow‐up it was a maximum of 1%, and presumably due to immature cataract. A tendency to myopia (<−1.5D) was found initially in 36%, but in only 22% at follow‐up. Conclusion: The myopinizing factor in East Greenland has not affected persons born prior to 1942, even if they had a tendency to myopia (<−1.5D).