Analysis of Clinical Changes in Pediatric Low Vision Patients

ABSTRACT

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.