Analysis of Clinical Changes in Pediatric Low Vision Patients

PURPOSE: To analyze the clinical changes in pediatric low-vision patients under 15 years of age. METHODS: We compared pediatric low-vision patients under 15 years of age with subjects from 1995 to 2000 (past group, subjects from our previous study) and from 2004 to 2014 (present group). A retrospective chart review was performed of 109 patients from the present group, including epidemiological characteristics and prescribed aids. RESULTS: The mean age in the present group was 8.6 years and decreased by 1.1 years compared with the past group. The percentage of pediatric patients under 15 years of age increased from 31.9% to 36.1%; however, there was no statistical significance (p = 0.241). The treatable or preventable diseases including congenital cataract and glaucoma decreased significantly from 23.4% to 11.9% (p = 0.021). The percentage of 0.1 or better in near and distant visual acuity increased significantly from 60.5% and 54.0% to 85.4% and 67.9%, respectively (p = 0.027 and p < 0.001, respectively). The number of subjects prescribed 2 or more low vision aids and new portable electronic magnifying devices was significant. CONCLUSIONS: Recent changes including decreased mean age, reduced treatable or preventable diseases, and increased percentage of pediatric patients might correlate to social services. Early detection is important for rehabilitation and quality of life in low vision patients, thus promotion and expansion of social services is necessary. In addition, because the proportion of novel low vision aids has increased, ophthalmologists should stay current on technology improvements.

Analysis of 137 Pediatric Low Vision Patients

PURPOSE: We intended to analyze the characteristics of a pediatric low vision population. METHODS: Among 430 patients who visited our low vision clinic from May 1995 to April 2000, 137 patients(31.9%) aged 15 years or less were reviewed to study epidemiologic characteristics, prescribed aids and required magnification. RESULTS: The percentage of pediatric low vision patients was higher than that of developed countries. Male predominance was found. Optic atrophy(41.6%), congenital cataract(12.4%), macular degeneration and dystrophy(9.5%) were the major causes of low vision in this population. The most commonly prescribed low vision aid was a telescope. For near task, light-gathering magnifiers were prescribed most commonly. The visual acuity was improved significantly at near and far distance after correction with low vision aid. The mean required magnification was 3.5 xand this means that a low magnification was sufficient in the majority of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Early rehabilitation and long-range planning for the low vision child are required because of profound effect of childhood visual impairment.