ABSTRACT
To determine the prevalence of refractive errors among elderly residents of Mashhad during 2006 based on age and gender. Through proportionate cluster random sampling, urban residents of Mashhad aged 55 years or more were invited to attend the Vision Clinic of Mashhad Medical University for an eye examination including autorefraction and subjective refraction. Of 1,540 invited persons, 1,440 persons [response rate= 92.5%] participated in the study of whom 1,367 individuals including 883 [64.6%] male and 484 [35.4%] female subjects with mean age of 63.7 +/- 7.1 [range 55-92] years were examined. The prevalence of myopia was 27.2% [95% confidence interval [CI], 24.8-29.5%] overall, 29.6% in men and 22.5% in women [P<0.001]. The rate of myopia showed an increase with age [P<0.001]. The prevalence of hyperopia was 51.6% [95%CI, 48.9%-54.3%] overall, 48.3% in men and 57.6 in women [P<0.001]. The rate of hyperopia showed a significant decrease with age [P=0.009]. The overall prevalence of astigmatism was 37.5% [95% CI, 34.9-40.0%]. Refractive errors are a major issue among the elderly and their prevalence rates varies greatly depending on age and gender
ABSTRACT
To determine the prevalence of amblyopia and its determinants in students of region 1 in Mashhad, 2006. Using randomized cluster sampling, 2510 students were selected to undergo ophthalmologic examinations. Amblyopia was defined as corrected visual acuity of 8/10 or less in either eye. Of the 2510 selected student, 2150 were examined [85.6% participation rate]. The prevalence of amblyopia was 1.9% [95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94 to 2.9] including 2.1% in female and 1.7% in male subjects [P=0.620]. Amblyopia was detected in right eye in 31.7%, left eye in 41.5% and both eyes in 26.8%. About 66% of amblyopic cases had refractive errors. The prevalence of amblyopia in students of region 1 in Mashhad is comparable to that of other parts of the country. Refractive error is a significant risk factor for occurring amblyopia