[ prevalence of visual problems in school children, Shiraz, Iran]

Refractive errors [myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism] could lead to an impaired quality of life affect a large proportion of the population worldwide, irrespective of age, sex and ethnic group. Such refractive errors can be easily diagnosed, measured and corrected with spectacles or other refractive corrections to attain normal vision. Since there is paucity of information in school children in Iran we aimed to investigate the distribution pattern of refractive status and prevalence of refractive errors in school-age children in Shiraz. A random sampling strategy in geographically defined clusters was used to identify children aged 6-15 years in Shiraz between 2008-2209. We carried out a school survey and actual eye examinations, including visual acuity measurements, stereopsis examination, anterior segment and eyeball movements, fundus examinations, and cycloplegic retinoscopy with 1% cyclopentolate. Of 3065 selected individuals, 2683 were participated in the study [response rate 86.6%]. According to cycloplegic refraction, 4.85% [95% [CI], 3.52 to 6.16] of the primary and middle school students were myopic and 4.64% [95% CI, 3.52 to 6.19] were hyperopic. For high school students, these rates were 22.19 and 11.4% respectively. Myopia and hyperopia were shown to be correlated with age. Prevalence of anisometropia, amblyopia and strabismus were 2.51%, 2.31[95%CI 1.51-3.11] and 1.83% [95%CI 1.15-2.50]. Compared to other published reports, the rate of myopia in the school children of Shiraz seems relatively high

[Age- and gender-specific prevalences of refractive errors in an elderly population in Mashhad]

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