Epidemiological Findings of Refractive Errors and Amblyopia among the Schoolchildren in Hatta Region of the United Arab Emirates
Introduction: Uncorrected refractive errors and amblyopia pose a major problem affecting schoolchildren. We had previously observed that many schoolchildren in the Hatta region presented to the ophthalmology clinic with uncorrected refractive errors and amblyopia, which led us to undertake this rese...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Karger Publishers
2021-01-01
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| Series: | Dubai Medical Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/512521 |
| _version_ | 1818673132105367552 |
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| author | Salam Chettian Kandi Hayat Ahmad Khan |
| author_facet | Salam Chettian Kandi Hayat Ahmad Khan |
| author_sort | Salam Chettian Kandi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Uncorrected refractive errors and amblyopia pose a major problem affecting schoolchildren. We had previously observed that many schoolchildren in the Hatta region presented to the ophthalmology clinic with uncorrected refractive errors and amblyopia, which led us to undertake this research. As per the WHO, the term “visual impairment” can be “low vision” or “blindness.” Based on the presenting vision, “low vision” is defined for children who have vision of <6/18 to 3/60 or having visual field loss to <20° in the better-seeing eye. Children defined to have “blindness” have presenting vision of <3/60 or corresponding visual field of <10°. Purpose: To estimate the magnitude of uncorrected refractive errors and amblyopia among the schoolchildren aged 6–19 years and to assess the efficacy of school-based refractive error screening programs in the Hatta region of the United Arab Emirates. Methods: An epidemiological, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted on the entire student population studying in the government schools of the region. Those who failed the Snellen visual acuity chart test and those who were wearing spectacles were evaluated comprehensively by the researcher in the Department of Ophthalmology of the Hatta Hospital. Data were entered in the Refractive Error Study in School Children (RESC) eye examination form recommended by the WHO, and were later transferred to Excel sheets and analyzed by SPSS. Results: 1,591 students were screened and evaluated from the end of 2016 to mid-2017. About 21.37% (n = 340) had impaired vision with 20.9% (n = 333) refractive errors, of which 58% were uncorrected. Among the refractive error group, 19% (64 subjects) had amblyopia (4% of total students). The incidence of low vision was 9.5% and blindness was 0.38%. Low vision was found to be 9.5% and blindness 0.38%, taking in to account presenting visual acuity rather than best-corrected visual acuity for defining low vision and blindness. Conclusion: A significant number of students were detected to have uncorrected refractive errors among the vision impaired group (59%, n = 197) despite a school-based vision screening program in place. Seventy-eight percent of the amblyopia cases (n = 50) were found to be in the 11–19 years age group. Noncompliance with optical corrections was the reason for the high number of cases. A rigorous vision screening program and refractive services, complimented with awareness among parents and teachers, are recommended. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-17T07:50:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-797f5941b5be4300bb3e0b2169cf33ca |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2571-726X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-17T07:50:56Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
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| series | Dubai Medical Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-797f5941b5be4300bb3e0b2169cf33ca2022-12-21T21:57:51ZengKarger PublishersDubai Medical Journal2571-726X2021-01-011710.1159/000512521512521Epidemiological Findings of Refractive Errors and Amblyopia among the Schoolchildren in Hatta Region of the United Arab EmiratesSalam Chettian KandiHayat Ahmad KhanIntroduction: Uncorrected refractive errors and amblyopia pose a major problem affecting schoolchildren. We had previously observed that many schoolchildren in the Hatta region presented to the ophthalmology clinic with uncorrected refractive errors and amblyopia, which led us to undertake this research. As per the WHO, the term “visual impairment” can be “low vision” or “blindness.” Based on the presenting vision, “low vision” is defined for children who have vision of <6/18 to 3/60 or having visual field loss to <20° in the better-seeing eye. Children defined to have “blindness” have presenting vision of <3/60 or corresponding visual field of <10°. Purpose: To estimate the magnitude of uncorrected refractive errors and amblyopia among the schoolchildren aged 6–19 years and to assess the efficacy of school-based refractive error screening programs in the Hatta region of the United Arab Emirates. Methods: An epidemiological, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted on the entire student population studying in the government schools of the region. Those who failed the Snellen visual acuity chart test and those who were wearing spectacles were evaluated comprehensively by the researcher in the Department of Ophthalmology of the Hatta Hospital. Data were entered in the Refractive Error Study in School Children (RESC) eye examination form recommended by the WHO, and were later transferred to Excel sheets and analyzed by SPSS. Results: 1,591 students were screened and evaluated from the end of 2016 to mid-2017. About 21.37% (n = 340) had impaired vision with 20.9% (n = 333) refractive errors, of which 58% were uncorrected. Among the refractive error group, 19% (64 subjects) had amblyopia (4% of total students). The incidence of low vision was 9.5% and blindness was 0.38%. Low vision was found to be 9.5% and blindness 0.38%, taking in to account presenting visual acuity rather than best-corrected visual acuity for defining low vision and blindness. Conclusion: A significant number of students were detected to have uncorrected refractive errors among the vision impaired group (59%, n = 197) despite a school-based vision screening program in place. Seventy-eight percent of the amblyopia cases (n = 50) were found to be in the 11–19 years age group. Noncompliance with optical corrections was the reason for the high number of cases. A rigorous vision screening program and refractive services, complimented with awareness among parents and teachers, are recommended.https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/512521amblyopiapediatric ophthalmologyrefractive errorschool-going childrenvision |
| spellingShingle | Salam Chettian Kandi Hayat Ahmad Khan Epidemiological Findings of Refractive Errors and Amblyopia among the Schoolchildren in Hatta Region of the United Arab Emirates Dubai Medical Journal amblyopia pediatric ophthalmology refractive error school-going children vision |
| title | Epidemiological Findings of Refractive Errors and Amblyopia among the Schoolchildren in Hatta Region of the United Arab Emirates |
| title_full | Epidemiological Findings of Refractive Errors and Amblyopia among the Schoolchildren in Hatta Region of the United Arab Emirates |
| title_fullStr | Epidemiological Findings of Refractive Errors and Amblyopia among the Schoolchildren in Hatta Region of the United Arab Emirates |
| title_full_unstemmed | Epidemiological Findings of Refractive Errors and Amblyopia among the Schoolchildren in Hatta Region of the United Arab Emirates |
| title_short | Epidemiological Findings of Refractive Errors and Amblyopia among the Schoolchildren in Hatta Region of the United Arab Emirates |
| title_sort | epidemiological findings of refractive errors and amblyopia among the schoolchildren in hatta region of the united arab emirates |
| topic | amblyopia pediatric ophthalmology refractive error school-going children vision |
| url | https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/512521 |
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