Myopia Can Be Corrected with Artificial Lenses or Surgery and Is

question 34

Multiple Choice

Myopia can be corrected with artificial lenses or surgery and is generally regarded as a benign disorder. However, as myopia is also associated with more severe conditions such as cataracts and glaucoma, a change in the prevalence of myopia (proportion of the population with myopia) may be a public health concern. The graph shows the change in the prevalence of myopia in three major ethnic groups in Singapore at three points in time.
Source: Adapted from Morgan, I.G., Ohno-Matsui, K., and Saw, S. M. (2012) . Myopia. Lancet, 379: 1739-1748.
-One hypothesis for the development of myopia is that children's eyes do not develop properly when the children are insufficiently exposed to sunlight. Compared to the past, what lifestyle changes should be observed if this hypothesis explains the change in myopia prevalence in Singapore as shown in the graph?

• A) Children are now spending more time reading indoors as educational expectations become more demanding.
• B) Children are now spending more time playing outside as air quality improves.
• C) Children are now spending equal amounts of time reading indoors and playing outside.

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Definitions:

Compliant Persons

Individuals who tend to agree with others or obey rules and suggestions with little resistance.

Manipulating Others

The act of controlling or influencing someone in a cunning or deceitful way for personal gain.

Protective Mechanisms

Psychological strategies employed by individuals to defend against feelings of anxiety or threats to self-esteem, synonymous with defense mechanisms.

Basic Anxiety

A term in psychoanalysis describing feelings of insecurity and inadequacy arising from interpersonal relationships.