THE REFRACTIVE PROFILE OF PRIMATES AND ILLITERATE ESKIMOS

     The picture above-right is the refractive status of primates in the "wild".  The profile of the Eskimos (who do not read) is similar to this distribution. *  In addition, when the Rhesus primates are put into cages, they begin to show the same negative refractive change that the Hong Kong Students demonstrate. **
 
*  "Ocular Biometry of Eskimo Families",  Francis A. Young & George A. Leary
**  "Visual Refractive Errors of Wild and Laboratory Monkeys",  Francis A. Young
       [This data was taken from 286 eyes, with a mean refraction of +0.68, and a Standard
       Deviation of +0.73 diopters.  A larger Rhesus study of 598 eyes showed the same profile.]
                                                     MYOPIA IN HONG KONG STUDENTS
     The refractive states of the Hong Kong students entering college are 87 percent
myopic (negative) with the remaining are positive.  Compare this with the refractive states of Eskimos in the "open" and primates living in the wild.
NATURAL REFRACTIVE CHANGES IN THE FUNDAMENTAL EYE
This is the eye's fundamental response to an applied 3 diopter lens.  From the paper:  "Spectacle lenses alter eye growth and the refractrive status of young monkeys".
The Refractive Status of Eskimos with Scant Schooling verus "Standard" Schooling
1