[Frequency and incidence of myopia among medical students].

PURPOSE: To estimate the frequency and dynamic changes in refractive errors in population of students of medical (MF) and dental (DF) faculties of Pommeranian Medical Academy in Szczecin.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Medical records from ophthalmic examinations performed in 176 medical students (117 females and 59 males) during the 2nd and 4th course of studies were analyzed (2-years long observation).

RESULTS: Refractive error was found in 42% of MF students and 39.5% of DF students on the 2nd course and in 51% and 47% on the 4th course respectively. Myopia was found in 75% of ametropic eyes. In 2 years observation time, there was a statistically significant progression of refracive error in 50% of myopic students (from -2.9 +/- 2.3 D to -3.4 +/- 1.9D in MF and from -2.0 +/- 1.5 to -2.4 +/- 1.5D in DF). Myopia developed in 13% of initially emmetropic students.