Vision screening among children in primary schools in a district of western Turkey: an epidemiological study

ABSTRACT

To determine the prevalence of visual impairments among children in primary schools. This cross-sectional study was conducted between from November 1st to December 31st 2006. Visual acuity was determined with the Snellen's E chart. Visual impairment was defined as visual acuity of d"20/40 in the better eye, as amblyopia if the difference in visual acuity between both eyes was 0.2d"dioptry, and as strabismus if the cover test was positive. Of the study group [n=1606], 53.7% [n=864] were boys and 46.3% [n=742] girls. The mean age of the participants was 10.52 +/- 2.28 [range 6-17]. The girls had a higher frequency of a presenting visual impairment than boys [2.4% vs. 1.0%], [p<0.05]. Twenty seven [1.7%] children presented with vision of d"20/40 in the better eye. The prevalence of presenting visual acuity for d"20/40 was significantly higher in children with glasses compared to the group of children without glasses [p<0.05]. The prevalence of amblyopia was 5.0%, whereas that of strabismus was 1.7%. The number of students with visual impairments was high, and many students were unaware of visual impairments and their risk factors