The Impact of Sunshine Duration on Myopia in Central China: Insights from Populational and Spatial Analysis in Hubei

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze myopia distribution in Hubei and the impact of regional Sunshine Duration on myopia in children and adolescents.

Patients And Methods: The Cross-sectional study included students (kindergarten to grade 12) through multistage cluster stratified sampling in 17 cities (103 areas) of Hubei, China, who underwent ophthalmic examinations from September 2021 to November 2021. The association of sunshine duration with the prevalence and distribution of myopia was analyzed. Using Moran's index to quantify the distribution relationship, a spatial analysis was constructed.

Results: A total of 435,996 students (53.33% male; mean age, 12.16±3.74 years) were included in the study. A negative association was identified between myopia prevalence and sunshine duration in the region, especially in population of primary students (r=-0.316, p<0.001). Each 1-unit increment in the sunshine duration was associated with a decreased risk of myopia prevalence (OR=0.996; 95% CI, 0.995-0.998; P <0.001). Regression showed a linear relationship between sunshine duration and myopia rates of primary school students [Prevalence%= (-0.1331*sunshine duration+47.73)%, p = 0.02]. Sunshine duration influenced the distribution of myopia rates among primary (Moran's I=-0.206, p<0.001) and junior high school (Moran's I=-0.183, p=0.002). Local spatial analysis showed that areas with low sunshine duration had high myopia prevalence concentration.

Conclusion: This study revealed sunshine duration associations with myopia prevalence at the regional and population levels. The results may emphasize the significance of promptly implementing myopia control in regions with poor sunshine. The effect of sunshine on myopia is pronounced in the early years of education, especially in primary students.