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.