Refractive Errors in Descendent and Ascendent Generations of Rural Population

Overview

The results from longitudinal follow-up of the incidence of refractive eye errorsin a population from rural region have contributed to the characteristics of theregional gene pool. Generation born within 1950-1964 (Generation I.) was comparedwith that bornwithin 1980-1994 (Generation II.). At the same time, a long-termfollow-up has demonstrated changes in the quantity of phenotypes in absolutenumber (values of morbidity: generation I. - all types of refractive errors: urbanpopulation men 104/1000, women 132/1000. Rural population men 119/1000, women135/1000. Generation II.: urban men 132/1000, women 169/1000, rural men124/1000, women 136/1000. The difference in morbidity between women and menin the Ist and IInd generations, both urban and rural, has not changed. A morepronounced difference can be seen in urban population, namely atmyopia in bothgenerations (myopia urban population: generation I. men 40.8 %, women 59.2 %,generation II. men 43.9 %, women 56.1 %, myopia rural population: generation I.:men 44.2 %, women 55.8 %, generation II.: men 47.2 %, women 52.8 %. Hyperopiaurban population: generation I., men 46.7 %, women 53.3 %, generation II. men47.3 %, women 52.7 %. The incidence of astigmatism has shown constant ratio 1:1both between men and women, and urban and rural populations. These changes were demonstrated most markedly in urban population, but these deviations arecaused by emigration from rural to urban districts, especially from a hinterland.10 % of IInd generation (1980-1994) are relatives of Ist generation (1950-1964) only.

Key words:
refractive errors,myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, fenotype, genotype,urban population, west Moravia, selection