Prevalence and risk factors of myopic maculopathy: a cross-sectional study in Han and Uygur adults in Xinjiang, China.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence, ethnic differences and associated risk factors of myopic maculopathy in Han and Uygur adults in Xinjiang, China. DESIGN AND
SETTING: A cross-sectional study with multistage, stratified cluster sampling method was conducted in Xinjiang, China. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 4023 Han and Uygur participants aged 40 years and older were eligible for the study. OUTCOME MEASURES: The association between myopic maculopathy and its risk factors was screened using the generalised estimating equation (GEE) model. We also investigated whether ethnic differences exist between Han and Uygur populations affected by myopic maculopathy. Myopic maculopathy was defined in accordance with International Photographic Classification and Grading System for Myopic Maculopathy.
RESULTS: A total of 3044 subjects (5946 eyes) were included in our study (1736 Han and 1308 Uygur individuals). The participants consisted of 1256 (41.3%) men and 1788 (58.7%) women. The average age was 52.2±9.4 years, and the mean spherical equivalent (SE) was -0.18±2.31 dioptre (D). Myopic maculopathy was detected in 198 eyes of 138 participants. The age-adjusted prevalence of myopic maculopathy reached 5.8% (95% CI 4.8 to 6.8). In the GEE model, myopic maculopathy was significantly associated with old age (per year; OR: 1.16; 95% CI 1.13 to 1.19; p<0.001) and myopic SE (per -1 D; OR: 1.48; 95% CI 1.40 to 1.56; p<0.001). No ethnic differences were detected between Han (98, 5.7%) and Uygur population (40, 3.1%) in terms of the prevalence of myopic maculopathy (OR=0.89; 95% CI 0.53 to 1.48; p=0.64). Neither urbanisation (p=0.38) nor the level of education (p=0.92) was associated with myopic maculopathy.
CONCLUSIONS: A high age-adjusted prevalence of myopic maculopathy was observed in Han and Uygur populations in Xinjiang, China. Old age and high degree of myopic refraction were independent risk factors for myopic maculopathy. No ethnic differences were detected in Han and Uygur populations affected by myopic maculopathy. © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

The study reported the prevalence of myopic maculopathy and analysed the ethnic differences in myopic maculopathy between Han and Uygur citizens living in the same area.

Direct comparison of studies on myopic maculopathy using the newly developed classification, that is, International Photographic Classification and Grading System for Myopic Maculopathy, was feasible.

The association between axial length and myopic maculopathy was not investigated in this study.

Staphyloma was not evaluated as a sign of myopic maculopathy, which possibly led to the underestimation of the prevalence of myopic maculopathy, given the availability of non-stereoscopic fundus photographs.

The younger age, less women and more higher education levels of participants compared with the non-participants (non-response bias) might have affected the prevalence estimate of myopic maculopathy.

Introduction

High myopia (spherical equivalent (SE) less than −6 dioptres (D)) is one of the common causes of visual impairment worldwide, especially in East Asia. The reported prevalence of high myopia ranges from 0.9% to 5.6% among East Asians aged more than 30 years old.1–4 People with high myopia suffer from an increased risk of ocular diseases, such as myopic maculopathy, glaucoma and retinal detachment.5 6 The main changes in high myopia include the elongation of axial length and deformation of the eyeball, resulting in a range of retinal and choroidal lesions. The lesions located in the posterior pole are termed myopic maculopathy, which often affects middle-aged and working people.7 8 Myopic maculopathy, which is the second leading cause of blindness in China9 and the third in Japan,10 is currently one of the major causes of legal blindness worldwide. Although studies have reported the prevalence of myopia maculopathy, the results cannot be compared directly given the inconsistent definitions of myopic maculopathy. Ohno-Matsui et al11 proposed the International Photographic Classification and Grading System for Myopic Maculopathy (META-PM) in 2015 for the direct comparison of myopia maculopathy results. However, studies on myopic maculopathy based on META-PM classification are limited. Moreover, although ethnic differences in myopic maculopathy have been proposed in several studies,12 13 no research has investigated such topic to date.

In the present study, we aimed to estimate the prevalence and associated risk factors of myopic maculopathy in Xinjiang using the META-PM classification. The study area is located in northwest region of China, occupies the largest land area at approximately 1.66 million km2, and has an average altitude of 900 m. Xinjiang is also a multi-ethnic populated area, including Uygur, Han and Kazak populations, with the Uygur population accounting for approximately one-half of the total population. No study has assessed the ethnic differences in myopic maculopathy in the same geographical location. Thus, we also explored whether ethnic differences exist in the distribution of myopic maculopathy in the two major ethnic groups (ie, Han and Uygur populations) living in the same location.

Methods

Study population

Our study is a part of the China National Health Survey and was performed with a multistage stratified cluster sampling method.14 The study was conducted in Xinjiang in 2013. The selection of cities and counties was based on the degree of urbanisation, economic development status based on gross domestic product and the distribution of local predominant minority ethnic populations. The first non-randomised sampling stage involved the selection of cities in Xinjiang (ie, large cities (Urumqi), midsize cities (Wusu and Karamay City) and counties (Hami and Toksun)). The second randomised sampling stage selected districts from cities and rural townships from counties. The third stage selected communities from districts in urban areas and villages from townships in rural areas. The final sampling stage involved the recruitment of participants in the study.

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

The inclusion criteria in our study were as follows: (1) residents who have been living in the selected areas for more than 1 year, (2) age of 40 years and older, (3) individuals with both parents originating from Han or Uygur defined as the corresponding ethnicity and (4) completely answered questionnaire. The exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) subjects who did not participate in ophthalmic examinations, (2) eyes with unreadable fundus photographs, aphakic or pseudophakic condition, severe ocular trauma, leucoma, no refraction data, refractive surgery or no visual acuity.

Data collection and examinations

The study participants underwent a comprehensive examination. The first examination involved the completion of a questionnaire with a series of information, such as age, gender, ethnicity (ie, Han and Uygur), residence (ie, rural and urban), occupations (ie, agricultural work was considered outdoor work, whereas the others were considered indoor work), the level of education (ie, below middle school and high school or higher), history of self-reported clinician-diagnosed hypertension and diabetes, and lifestyle (ie, smoking, drinking, physical work and exercise). Smoking/drinking status was divided into never and ever smokers/drinkers (including current and former smokers/drinkers). Based on the intensity, physical work was classified into light, moderate and heavy. Exercise was divided into never, irregular and regular. Regular exercise was defined as participation in moderate or vigorous activities for 20 min and above per day at least 3 days a week.

The second examination involved body examination, including the measurement of height (cm) and weight (kg). Body mass index (BMI) was measured in weight (kg)/height (m)2. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured with a digital automatic blood pressure monitor, and the average of three measurements was recorded. Individuals with hypertension were defined as those with a hypertension history or who had SBP ≥140 mm Hg or DBP ≥90 mm Hg. Diabetes was defined in individuals with self-reported clinician-diagnosed diabetes.

We also performed comprehensive ophthalmological examinations including non-cycloplegic refraction (ARK-510A, Nidek, Tokyo, Japan). SE was calculated as the sphere value plus half of the cylinder value. High myopia, myopia, hyperopia and emmetropia were defined as SE<−6.0 D, SE<−0.5 D, SE>+0.50 D and SE between −0.5 D and +0.5 D, respectively. Presenting visual acuity (PVA) was defined in participants wearing habitual optical correction devices (spectacles or contact lenses), if any. The use of portable hand-held slit lamp (KJ5S2, Suzhou Kangjie Medical, Jiangsu, China) and non-mydriatic digital photographs of the fundus (Canon CR2-NM2 camera, Canon, Tokyo, Japan) were also recorded. Myopic maculopathy was classified in accordance with META-PM classification.11 Myopic maculopathy was divided into five categories: Category 0 (C0), no myopia retinal lesion; Category 1 (C1), tessellated fundus; Category 2 (C2), diffuse chorioretinal atrophy; Category 3 (C3), patchy chorioretinal atrophy; Category 4 (C4), macular atrophy. Three additional features were included in these categories as ‘plus signs’: lacquer cracks, myopic choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) and Fuchs’ spot. Myopic maculopathy was defined as C2 and above and/or any plus signs. The assessment of myopic maculopathy was performed independently by two trained investigators (TC and JM), who were blinded to other information, such as age, gender and SE. Any disagreements were resolved by consensus.

Patient and public involvement

No patients or members of the public were involved in the design, implementation, reporting or dissemination of our research.

Statistical analysis

The age-adjusted prevalence of myopic maculopathy was calculated by using the National Census 2010. Frequency data were reported as numbers and percentages, and continuous data were described as mean±SD. We explored the associations between the prevalence of myopia maculopathy and the possible risk factors and studied the ethnic differences in Han and Uygur people. The generalised estimating equation (GEE) model for logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between the prevalence of myopic maculopathy and the possible risk factors for eye-specific data in a single person. OR and 95% CIs were calculated. Visual impairment was assessed using the better eyes of patients. All p values were two sided, and statistical significance was considered at p<0.05. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS software (SAS V.9.3).

Results

Population characteristics

Figure 1 shows the workflow of participant inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 4023 Han and Uygur participants aged 40 years and older and who completed the questionnaire were considered eligible for the study, and 3339 (83.0%) subjects participated in the ophthalmic examinations. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 3044 (75.7%) participants (5946 eyes) with gradable photos for myopic maculopathy and automated refraction data were included in the final analysis. Table 1 lists the characteristics of all subjects and comparison results between adults with and without myopic maculopathy and between Han and Uygur people. The participants included 1256 (41.3%) men and 1788 (58.7%) women. A total of 1736 (57.0%) Han and 1308 (43.0%) Uygur individuals were included. The average age of the included population was 52.2±9.4 years, which is younger than that of non-participants (54.1±10.2 years; p<0.001). Less women and more higher education levels of persons were included (p<0.001). More Han people were included in participants than in non-participants (p=0.04; see online supplemental file). Han participants were older (p<0.001), had lower BMI (p<0.001) and higher myopic SE (p<0.001) than Uygur participants. The percentiles of rural residents (p<0.001), high level of education (p=0.04), outdoor workers (p<0.001) and heavy physical workers (p=0.02) were higher in Uygur than in Han population, whereas the prevalence of hypertension (p=0.01), smoker (p=0.02), drinkers (p<0.001) and regularly exercising people (p<0.001) were higher in Han people than in Uygur people. No significant differences were detected in the prevalence of diabetes (p=0.31) and the distribution of gender (p=0.14) between Han and Uygur populations. The average SD SE was −0.18±2.31 D. A total of 458 (15.1%; 1092 eyes (18.4%)), 64 (2.1%; 177 eyes (3.0%)), 1342 (44.1%; 2777 eyes (46.7%)) and 1180 (38.8%; 1900 eyes (32.0%))) participants were myopic, highly myopic, emmetropic and hyperopic, respectively.

Figure 1

Workflow of participants inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Table 1

Characteristics of all subjects, adults with and without myopic maculopathy, and Han and Uygur people

Variables	All (n=3044)	Status of myopic maculopathy				Ethnicity
		Myopic maculopathy (n=138)	Without myopic maculopathy (n=2906)	P value	Han (n=1736)	Uygur (n=1308)	P value
Age (years)	52.2±9.4	63.2±10.5	51.7±9.0	<0.001	53.0±9.7	51.3±8.9	<0.001
Gender				0.05			0.14
Male	1256 (41.3%)	46 (33.3%)	1210 (41.6%)		736 (42.4%)	520 (39.8%)
Female	1788 (58.7%)	92 (66.7%)	1696 (58.4%)		1000 (57.6%)	788 (60.2%)
Height (cm)	161.4±8.2	158.9±8.5	161.5±8.2	<0.001	161.7±8.1	161.0±8.4	0.04
Weight (kg)	66.9±12.1	63.2±11.8	67.1±12.1	<0.001	65.1±11.5	69.2±12.5	<0.001
BMI (kg/m2)	25.6±3.9	25.0±4.0	25.7±3.9	0.03	24.8±3.5	26.7±4.1	<0.001
SE (D)	−0.18±2.31	−5.03±6.91	−0.01±1.75	<0.001	−0.46±2.56	0.20±1.88	<0.001
Residence				<0.001			<0.001
Urban	1594 (52.4%)	92 (66.7%)	1502 (51.7%)		989 (57.0%)	605 (46.3%)
Rural	1450 (47.6%)	46 (33.3%)	1404 (48.3%)		747 (43.0%)	703 (53.8%)
Education				0.02			0.04
Under middle school	1718 (56.4%)	91 (65.9%)	1627 (56.0%)		1008 (58.1%)	710 (54.3%)
High school or higher	1326 (43.6%)	47 (34.1%)	1279 (44.0%)		728 (41.9%)	598 (45.7%)
Occupation				<0.001			<0.001
Outdoor	1156 (38.3%)	29 (21.0%)	1136 (39.1%)		618 (35.6%)	547 (42.8%)
Indoor	1879 (61.7%)	109 (79.0%)	1770 (61.9%)		1118 (64.4%)	761 (58.2%)
Hypertension	597 (19.6%)	44 (31.9%)	553 (19.0%)	<0.001	371 (21.4%)	226 (17.3%)	0.01
Diabetes	243 (8.0%)	18 (13.0%)	225 (7.7%)	0.02	146 (8.4%)	97 (7.4%)	0.31
Smoking				0.09			0.02
Never	2094 (68.8%)	104 (75.4%)	1990 (68.5%)		1164 (67.1%)	930 (71.1%)
Ever	950 (31.2%)	34 (24.6%)	916 (31.5%)		572 (33.0%)	378 (28.9%)
Alcohol use				0.03			<0.001
Never	1853 (60.9%)	96 (69.6%)	1757 (60.5%)		883 (50.9%)	970 (74.2%)
Ever	1191 (39.1%)	42 (30.4%)	1149 (39.5%)		853 (49.1%)	338 (25.8%)
Exercise				<0.001			<0.001
Never	1522 (50.0%)	42 (30.4%)	1480 (50.9%)		707 (40.7%)	815 (62.3%)
Irregular	492 (16.2%)	16 (11.6%)	476 (16.4%)		303 (17.5%)	189 (14.5%)
Regular	1030 (33.8%)	80 (58.0%)	950 (32.7%)		726 (41.8%)	304 (23.2%)
Physical work				<0.001			0.02
Light	1707 (56.1%)	114 (82.6%)	1593 (54.8%)		1011 (58.2%)	696 (53.2%)
Moderate	399 (13.1%)	7 (5.1%)	392 (13.5%)		223 (12.9%)	176 (13.5%)
Heavy	938 (30.8%)	17 (12.3%)	921 (31.7%)		502 (28.9%)	436 (33.3%)

BMI, body mass index; SE, spherical equivalent.

Myopic maculopathy was observed in 198 eyes of 138 participants (4.5% of the population), and the age-adjusted prevalence was 5.8% (95% CI 4.8 to 6.8). The prevalence of myopic maculopathy in Han population (98, 5.7%) was higher than that in Uygur people (40, 3.1%; p<0.001). Table 2 shows the distribution of myopic maculopathy in Han and Uygur populations. Among the three posterior pole lesions associated with myopic maculopathy, diffuse chorioretinal atrophy was the most common (193 eyes (3.2%) or 139 participants (4.6%)), followed by patchy chorioretinal atrophy (28 eyes (0.5%) or 21 participants (0.7%)), whereas macular atrophy had the least percentage (7 eyes (0.1%) or 6 participants (0.2%)). Among the ‘plus signs’, lacquer crack (21 eyes (0.4%) or 20 participants (0.7%)) was the most common, whereas CNV (1 eye (0.02%) or 1 participant (0.03%)) was the least common. Bilateral myopic maculopathy was present in 57 (1.9%) participants. Figure 2 shows the age-specific and gender-specific prevalence of myopic maculopathy. A significant age-related trend was noted (p<0.001). After adjusting for age, women had a significantly higher prevalence of myopic maculopathy (5.2%) than males (3.7%; p=0.02). Figure 3 illustrates the prevalence of myopic maculopathy in the high myopic eye obtained by using SE. About 38.8% participants with SE less than −6.0 D had myopic maculopathy, and 52.9% of people with SE less than −8.0 D had myopic maculopathy.

Table 2

Distribution of myopic maculopathy in Han and Uygur populations

Category of myopic maculopathy
Ethnicity	Numbers	C0 (%)	C1 (%)	C2 (%)	C3 (%)	C4 (%)	Plus signs (%)
Han	1736	1638 (94.4)	335 (19.3)	98 (5.6)	17 (1.0)	5 (0.3)	21 (1.2)
Uygur	1308	1268 (96.9)	165 (12.6)	41 (3.1)	4 (0.3)	1 (0.1)	4 (0.3)
Total	3044	2906 (95.5)	500 (16.4)	139 (4.6)	21 (0.7)	6 (0.2)	25 (0.8)

Figure 2

Age-specific and gender-specific prevalence of myopic maculopathy.

Figure 3

Prevalence of myopic maculopathy in the high myopic eye of participants by spherical equivalent.

Univariate analysis of myopic maculopathy

The univariate analysis showed that high myopic SE (p<0.001), old age (p<0.001), low BMI (p=0.03), urbanisation (p<0.001), low level of education (p=0.02), indoor work (p<0.001), high SBP (myopic maculopathy (127.7±16.3 mm Hg) vs without myopic maculopathy (122.5±17.2 mm Hg), p<0.001), diabetes (p=0.02), non-drinking habit (p=0.03), status of exercise (p<0.001) and physical work (p<0.001) were significantly associated with myopic maculopathy. Gender (p=0.05), DBP (myopic maculopathy (75.7±10.2 mm Hg) vs without myopic maculopathy (74.9±11.3 mm Hg), p=0.30) and smoking (p=0.09) showed no correlation with myopic maculopathy (table 1). In subjects with myopic maculopathy, in accordance with the WHO definition, 39 (41.5%) and 5 (5.3%) participants had visual impairment (<20/60 to ≥20/400) and blindness (<20/400), respectively. Based on the US criteria, legal blindness (≤20/200) accounted for 14.9% and visual impairment (<20/40 to >20/200) reached 38.3%.

Multivariate analysis of myopic maculopathy

In the GEE model, old age (per 1 year; OR: 1.16; 95% CI 1.13 to 1.19; p<0.001) and high myopic SE (per −1 D; OR: 1.48; 95% CI 1.40 to 1.56; p<0.001) were significantly associated with myopic maculopathy. However, ethnicity revealed no association with myopic maculopathy (OR: 0.89; 95% CI 0.53 to 1.48; p=0.64). Other factors, such as gender, BMI, residence, level of education, workplace, smoking, alcohol drinking, history of diabetes, DBP, SBP, the type of physical work and exercise, showed no significant association with myopic maculopathy (figure 4).

Figure 4

Multivariate analysis of the association between the risk factors and myopic maculopathy. BMI, body mass index; DBP, diastolic blood pressure; SBP, systolic blood pressure; SE, spherical equivalent.

Discussion

We performed a cross-sectional study to investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors of myopic maculopathy and to assess whether ethnic differences exist in the distribution of myopic maculopathy between Han and Uygur people living in the same area. The age-adjusted prevalence of myopic maculopathy in our study reached 5.8%. Diffuse chorioretinal atrophy was the most common lesion of myopic maculopathy, and myopic maculopathy was significantly associated with old age and high myopic SE. We found no ethnic differences in the prevalence of myopic maculopathy. Urbanisation, gender and level of education exhibited no association with myopic maculopathy.

The age-adjusted prevalence of myopic maculopathy in our study was higher than the values reported in previous research, such as those of Hisayama Study (1.7%),13 Beijing Eye Study (BES; 3.1%),15 ShihPai Eye Study (3.0%),12 Central India Eye and Medical Study (CIEMS; 0.2%)16 and Handan Eye Study (1.1%)17 (table 3). These differences in the prevalence of myopic maculopathy may be related to the various definitions of myopic maculopathy or distinct study designs or age ranges of these studies. In the present study, we defined myopic maculopathy in accordance with the definition of META-PM, the same as that in CIEMS16 and Yangxi Eye Study.18 Among these studies, the definition of myopic maculopathy, including the signs such as staphyloma, lacquer cracks, Fuchs’ spot and myopic chorioretinal atrophy, was the same in BES15 and Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES).8 The reported prevalence values differed. The varied results may be due to the variations in age ranges, residences of participants or other unknown environmental risk factors.

Table 3

Comparison of prevalence of myopic maculopathy reported in studies

Study	Ethnicity	Examined year	Sample (n)	Age (years)	Definition of myopic maculopathy	Prevalence OR, 95% CI, %
This current study	Chinese	2013	3044	≥40	Diffuse chorioretinal atrophy Patchy chorioretinal atrophyMacular atrophyLacquer cracksCNVFuchs’ spot	5.8 (4.8 to 6.8); age-adjusted
Hisayama Study13	Southern Japanese	2005	1892	≥40	Diffuse chorioretinal atrophy Patchy chorioretinal atrophy Lacquer cracksMacular atrophy	1.7
Beijing Eye Study15	Urban Chinese	2001	4319	≥40	StaphylomaLacquer cracksFuchs’ spotChorioretinal atrophy	3.1
Shihpai Eye Study12	Chinese	2000	1058	≥65	Lacquer cracksDeep choroidal atrophyGeographic atrophyCNV	3.0 (2.1 to 4.2)
Central India Eye and Medical Study16	Rural CentralIndia	2006	4561	>30	Diffuse chorioretinal atrophy Patchy chorioretinal atrophyMacular atrophyLacquer cracksCNVFuchs’ spotPosterior staphyloma	0.2 (0.1 to 0.4)
Blue Mountains Eye Study8	Urban Australian	1992–1994	3583	≥49	StaphylomaLacquer cracksFuchs’ spotChorioretinal atrophy	1.2
Yangxi Eye Study18	Rural Southern Chinese	2014	4469	≥40	Diffuse chorioretinal atrophy Patchy chorioretinal atrophyMacular atrophyLacquer cracksCNVFuchs’ spot	1.2 (1.1 to 1.2)
Handan Eye Study17	Rural Northern Chinese	2006–2007	6603	≥30	StaphylomaLacquer cracksFuchs’ spotChorioretinal atrophy	0.9 (0.7 to 1.1)

CNV, choroidal neovascularisation.

Similar to previous research,13 15 18 myopic maculopathy in our study increased with advanced age and negative SE. The density of photoreceptors, ganglion cells, retinal pigment epithelium and optic nerve fibres decrease with age.19 20 Moreover, increasing age is associated with the thin choroid vascular complex21 and may compromise blood flow,21 which can contribute to the pathogenesis of myopic maculopathy. High myopic SE eyes are usually axially elongated, in which the fundus easily develops pathological changes related to myopic maculopathy.22 Studies also showed the strong associations between myopic refractive error, urbanisation and high level of education.23–25 Thus, urbanisation and the level of education may have a relationship with myopic maculopathy. In the univariate analysis, urbanisation and the level of education were associated with myopic maculopathy. However, in the multivariate analysis, no significant association was observed between myopic maculopathy and the level of education nor between myopic maculopathy and urbanisation. This phenomenon may due to the effects of urbanisation and education; such effects may be explained by the refractive error of the multivariate model, that is, the myopic refractive error indicates the considerable time needed for the development of pathological and anatomical changes associated with myopic maculopathy. During these changes, numerous cofounder factors may exist. For example, urban residences or people with high level of education may pay attention to their eye care, including daily diet, exercise and light work, resulting in the decreased development of myopic maculopathy. Thus, a high degree of myopic refraction was associated with myopic maculopathy, although no association was observed with the level of education or urbanisation.

In the present study, no gender difference was noted in the prevalence of myopic maculopathy, which agrees with result of the Yangxi Eye Study,18 Shihpai Eye Study,12 Handan Eye Study,17 BES15 and BMES.8 A high prevalence of myopic maculopathy was reported in CIEMS, with a 257-fold increased risk observed in women.16 We analysed similar results and observed the wide range of the 95% CI 7.4 to 8973, implying a lack of reliability. Lin et al22 also reported a ninefold increased risk in women, but this risk refers to the association between gender and the progression of myopic maculopathy. In Handan Eye Study,17 in which the population was almost the same as Lin’s study,22 gender difference was not observed with myopic maculopathy. Thus, the gender difference in myopic maculopathy should be investigated further.

Although ethnic difference was associated with myopic maculopathy in the univariate analysis, it was no longer a significant risk factor after multivariate adjustment. The Han population was older and had higher myopic SE than the Uygur population. The confounding effect of ethnic difference was adjusted after the analysis using the multivariate model. Thus, in the present study, no ethnic differences existed in the prevalence of myopic maculopathy in Han and Uygur populations.

SBP plays an important role in the diurnal variation of choroidal thickness.26 27 High SBP may hamper the choroidal circulation and increase the severity of maculopathy.12 However, in the present study, we observed no association between SBP and myopic maculopathy, similar to the result of Hsu’s study.21 Further clinical studies are needed to confirm the relationship between blood pressure and myopic maculopathy.

Myopic maculopathy is the leading and third cause of visual impairment and blindness in Asians over 30 years old and in Europeans over 40 years old, respectively.9 10 28 Our study showed that 46.8% (WHO definition) or 53.2% (US criteria) of participants with myopic maculopathy experienced PVA classified as visual impairment or blindness. The poor visual acuity of people with myopic maculopathy may be due to myopia-associated anatomical changes in the macula or uncorrected myopic refractive error. Among these people, diffuse chorioretinal atrophy is the most common type of myopic maculopathy.

The strengths of our study include the use of the newly developed META-PM classification for myopic maculopathy, analysis of ethnic differences between Han and Uygur people living in the same location, and exploration of the associated risk factors of myopic maculopathy. However, potential limitations of the present study should be mentioned. First, staphyloma as a sign of myopic maculopathy was not evaluated. Thus, the prevalence of myopic maculopathy in the non-stereoscopic fundus photographs might have been underestimated. Second, the association between axial length and myopic maculopathy was not investigated. Although the relationship between refractive error and myopic maculopathy has been studied, and axial length is significantly associated with refractive error, these parameters may be independent risk factors of myopic maculopathy. Third, similar to all other cross-sectional studies, selection bias might have affected several estimates. The non-participants were older, more likely to be women and achieved lower education levels than the participants in our study. This condition may disturb the representativeness of the study population. Given that myopic maculopathy is associated with old age, the prevalence of myopic maculopathy may be underestimated.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a high prevalence of myopic maculopathy was observed in Han and Uygur people in Xinjiang area. Old age and high degree of myopic refraction were important risk factors for myopic maculopathy in the present study. We observed no ethnic differences in myopic maculopathy in Han and Uygur people living in the same area. The negative association between ethnic and myopic maculopathy needs further verification from other studies.