ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To report the results of preschool vision screening of South Korean children in the year of 2001. METHODS: Nation-wide population-based vision screening tests were conducted in a stepwise manner on the preschool children over 3 years of age. The first step of test was home-screening using 5 familiar picture cards. The children who didn't pass the first step (VA < 0.5 in at least one eye) were sent to the Public Health Care Centers and re-tested there with regular vision charts. After this second step of test, some children were referred to the ophthalmologists. The referral criteria for visual acuity were: at 3 years less than 0.5, at 4 or above 4 years less than 0.63 in at least one eye. Data were collected for the 67, 315 children to evaluate the ophthalmologic conditions. RESULTS: Among 67, 315 subjects who had been enrolled, 97% of children had visual acuity of 0.5 or better. Of those screened, 5, 221 (7.8%) children were referred to the ophthalmologists. The feedback results for 3, 058 (4.6%) children could be collected. Of those referred, 2, 488(80.6%) had one or more ophthalmologic disorders. Refractive errors were found in 2183 children. Amblyopia was discovered in 560 children. Manifest strabismus was detected in 144 children. CONCLUSIONS: In this population setting, ocular disorders which can affect visual development were found in 2, 488 children. This attests to the importance of performing early and effective screening tests for preschool children.
Subject(s)
Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Amblyopia , Korea , Mass Screening , Public Health , Referral and Consultation , Refractive Errors , Strabismus , Vision Screening , Visual AcuityABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To prevent permanent visual disturbance, we performed a mass screening for the detection of ocular disorders of preschool children. METHODS: Ocular examination was performed on 33,955 children in Seou(3~6 years of age)l, during the period from January to December, 2000. 435 children were shown to have either visual acuity of less than 0.5 or anisometropia of over 2 lines. Detailed Eye examination. was conducted on those 435 children. RESULTS: Diagnoses consisted of refractive errors in 325(74.7%), amblyopia in 91(20.9%), strabismus 21(4.8%) and anterior segment abnormalities in 34(7.8%). Among th types of refractive errors, hyperopic astigmatism 98(30.4%) was the most common type. Astigmatism was combined with all other types in 257(79.9%) children. In cases of strabismus, exotropia was 12(57.1%) and esotropia was 4(19.0%). Refractive error was the most common cause of amblyopia(88(96.7%)). CONCLUSIONS: To prevent and treat amblyopia or strabismus, easily detection and adequate care at preschool age seemed to be very effective. Participation rate for this mass-screening of eye disease during preschool age will be more increased by efforts of constitutional support and parental coperation.
Subject(s)
Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Amblyopia , Anisometropia , Astigmatism , Diagnosis , Esotropia , Exotropia , Eye Diseases , Mass Screening , Parents , Refractive Errors , Seoul , Strabismus , Vision Screening , Visual AcuityABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Congenital anophthalmos is a very rare malformation. In terms of embryology, congenital anophthalmos is caused by the lack of developing of eye bulb that leads to the absence of vital component of eyeball. In Korea, about 5 cases have been reported. CASE: It was a female newborn who had congenital anophthalmos in the left eye with cleft palate associated with the marks of an eyelid with stricture and sinking in left orbit. We have observed conduction defects on visual evoked potential(VEP) pathways while the right eye responded properly on the photosensitivity test, and showed normal state on the chromosome test. RESULT: We experienced a case of congenital anophthalmos with cleft palate. But we have not found the cause through systemic laboratory or chromosomal study results, the parent's past medical history.