Changing trends in myopia among schoolchildren in Oman: Screening information over 11 years.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the changing trends in myopia over an 11-year period among Omani schoolchildren. METHODS: This retrospective study took place from January to June 2012. National vision screening data from 1999 to 2010 were reviewed for information concerning all children in the fourth, seventh, and tenth grades of Omani public schools. Changes in the rate of myopia by gender, grade, severity, and governorate were evaluated. RESULTS: Among 397,430 fourth-grade students, the prevalence of myopia was 2.44%. In contrast, the prevalence of myopia among 533,003 and 461,307 children in the seventh and tenth grades, respectively, was 4.41% and 7.36%. Compared to 2002, the rate of myopia in 2010 was 1.43% higher for fourth-grade students (P < 0.001). Myopia prevalence rates among seventh-grade students increased by (5.36-3.36 = 2.0) 1.11% between 1999 and 2010, but declined by 7.62% versus 6.34% = 1.28% between 1999 and 2010 for seventh- and tenth-grade students, respectively (P < 0.010 and <0.001, respectively). The risk of myopia in the fourth, seventh, and tenth grades was significantly higher for females in 2002 and 2010 (P < 0.001). The regional variation of myopia was also significant (χ 2= 495; P < 0.001). Among seventh- and tenth-grade students in 2010, the ratio of children with mild-to-moderate/severe myopia was 1.5:1 and 1:2.7, respectively. CONCLUSION: Although the rate of myopia increased with grade, the trend over time suggests that myopia affected more children at a younger age. Female students had a significantly higher risk of myopia.

Visual function of children with visual and other disabilities in Oman: A case series.

BACKGROUND: We assessed the visual functioning of the children with special needs in Oman between 2009 and 2012. We present the methods of assessing different visual functions, outcomes, and interventions carried out to improve their functioning. METHODS: Optometrists assessed visual functions of children of "Day care centres" in Oman. Experts further assessed them and provided low vision care. Ocular movements, refractive corrections, near, distance, contrast color, motion, field of vision, and cognitive visual function test results were noted. Feedback to caregivers was given to improve visual functioning of these children. RESULTS: We grouped 321 participants, (196 [61.1%] boys, age range of 3-18 years) into 61; Down syndrome (DS), 72 with intellectual disabilities (IDs), 67; hearing impaired and 121 with other conditions. Refractive error and lag of accommodation were 26 (42.6%) and 14 (22.6%) among children with DS. Contrast sensitivity was impaired in 8 (12.7%) among hearing impaired children. Defective distant and near vision was in 162 (70%) and 104 (42%) of our cohort. Children with ID were most difficult to assess. Children in a group of other disabilities had a higher proportion of impaired visual functioning. They were given low vision aids (telescopes [22], filters [7], and magnifiers [3]) in large numbers compared to those in other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Visual functioning of children with other disabilities show great variation and difficult to group. The care, therefore, should be at individual level. All visual functions cannot be assessed at one time.

Visual function of children with visual and other disabilities in Oman: A case series.

BACKGROUND: We assessed visual functioning of the children with special needs in Oman between 2009 and 2012. We present the methods of assessing different visual functions, outcomes and interventions carried out to improve their functioning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case series type of study, optometrists assessed visual functions of children of "day care centers" in Oman. Experts further assessed them and provided low vision care. Ocular movements, refractive corrections, near, distance, contrast color, motion, field of vision and cognitive, visual function test results were noted. Feedback to caregivers was given to improving visual functioning of these children. RESULTS: We grouped 321 participants, (196 (61.1%) boys, age range of 3-18 years) into 61; Down syndrome (DS), 72 with intellectual disabilities, 67; hearing impaired and 121 with other conditions. Refractive error and lag of accommodation was 26 (42.6%) and 14 (22.6%) among children with DS. Contrast sensitivity was impaired in 8 (12.7%) among hearing impaired children. Defective distant and near vision was in 162 (70%) and 104 (42%) of our cohort. Children with intellectual disability were most difficult to assess. Children in group of other disabilities" had a higher proportion of impaired visual functioning. They were given low vision aids (telescopes (22), filters (7) and magnifiers (3)) in large numbers compared to those in other groups. CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes of assessment of visual functioning of children with other disabilities show great variation and difficult to group. The care therefore should be individual. All visual functions cannot be assessed at one time.

Ocular status and functional adaptation of visually challenged children of a special school in Oman.

INTRODUCTION: We assessed the ocular status and visual adaptation among children studying at a school for visually disabled children in Muscat, Oman. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted in 2009-2010. We assessed the visual and ocular status of the participants. They were interviewed to elicit the past history of eye problems and management. They also expressed their visual adaptation in their 'day-to-day' life, and their ambitions. RESULT: We examined and interviewed 47 participants (29 male and 18 female). The mean age of the participants was 19.7 years (Standard deviation 5.9 years). Twenty-six of them were blind since birth. Phthisical eyes, disfigured eyes and anophthalmic sockets were noted in 19, 58, and six eyes of participants. Twenty-six (55.5%) participants had visual disabilities due to genetic causes, since birth. In 13 participants, further investigations were needed to confirm diagnosis and determine further management After low vision training, 13 participants with residual vision could be integrated in the school with normal children. One participant was recommended stem cell treatment for visual restoration. Five children were advised reconstructive orbital surgery. The participants were not keen to use a white cane for mobility. Some participants, 16 / 28 (57%), with absolute blindness, were not able to read the Braille language. Singing and playing music were not very well-accepted hobbies among the participants. Nineteen participants were keen to become teachers. CONCLUSIONS: Children with visual disabilities need to be periodically assessed. The underlying causes of visual disabilities should be further explored to facilitate prevention and genetic counseling. Participants had visual adaptation for daily living and had ambitions for the future.