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Yii F. Cultural roots of the myopia boom in Confucian Asia and their implications. J Public Health Policy 2024:10.1057/s41271-024-00513-1. [PMID: 39127866 DOI: 10.1057/s41271-024-00513-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Current evidence implicates educational pressures and reduced outdoor time as major causes of myopia. This paper examines the ongoing battle against the myopia epidemic in East Asia, including its cultural offshoots such as Singapore, where over 80% of young adults are myopic. East Asian societies share deeply rooted Confucian values that attach great importance to education and familial obligations, with heavy parental investment in education and the perception that academic excellence reflects filial piety. Coupled with a strong emphasis on standardised test results, East Asian children face intense educational pressures from a young age. Existing education-based myopia prevention strategies focus either on top-down school reforms to promote more outdoor time for students during school hours or on bottom-up awareness initiatives encouraging lifestyle changes. However, the entrenched Confucian worldview suggests that more extensive top-down reforms aimed at reducing competition in education, combined with widespread bottom-up awareness initiatives targeting the public-particularly parents, given their active involvement in children's education outside of school-may be required to truly turn the tide on myopia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Yii
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
- Robert O Curle Ophthalmology Suite, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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Khalaf AM, Alhazimi AY, Almaymuni KK, Alsubaie NA. Prevalence of Myopia Among Schoolchildren and the Impact of Increased Screen Time: A Systematic Review. Cureus 2024; 16:e66815. [PMID: 39280371 PMCID: PMC11393148 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.66815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Myopia is the most frequent kind of refractive error and affects hundreds of millions of people. Growing evidence suggests that extended exposure to digital screens may exacerbate nearsightedness in children and young people. The purpose of this review is to compile data on the link between too much time in front of a screen and nearsightedness in young people so far. The principles of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement guided the methods used and the format of the resulting report. Articles published between January 1, 2000, and June 30, 2023, were found by searching Medline, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, and Scopus. Studies reporting an association between myopia and time spent in front of screens in children and young adults were considered eligible. The initial search yielded a total of 1,251 studies. After eliminating duplicates and reviewing the titles and abstracts, 64 full-text articles were evaluated for eligibility. Ultimately, 15 of these studies were included in the final analysis. The 15 studies involved a total of 59,775 participants and were conducted in various countries, including China, Singapore, and the United States. Overall, the evidence did not support a significant association between screen time and myopia in school children and young adults. There is conflicting evidence on the link between screen time and myopia in children and adolescents. More research is needed to determine whether or not digital screen use is a risk factor for myopia. The complex association between screen time and myopia is not fully understood at this time because of the variability of the included studies. These results have significant public health implications since they may be used to guide recommendations for screen time use in children and the young population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed M Khalaf
- General Practice, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, SAU
| | - Amro Y Alhazimi
- Ophthalmology, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, SAU
| | | | - Noura A Alsubaie
- General Practice, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, SAU
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Huang Z, Song D, Tian Z, Wang Y, Tian K. Prevalence and associated factors of myopia among adolescents aged 12-15 in Shandong Province, China: a cross-sectional study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:17289. [PMID: 39068195 PMCID: PMC11283487 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-68076-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Myopia is a growing concern worldwide, especially among adolescents. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of myopia in adolescents aged 12-15 in Shandong Province, China. This cross-sectional study adhered to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines and involved stratified random cluster sampling of 128,678 students from 186 middle schools across 17 cities in Shandong Province. Data collection was conducted from March to April 2024. We excluded students with organic eye diseases, abnormal binocular vision functions, or a history of eye injuries or surgeries. Myopia was assessed using the standard logarithmic visual acuity chart and autorefractor without inducing ciliary muscle paralysis. A comprehensive questionnaire survey was conducted to gather demographic characteristics and daily life behaviors. With the chi-squared test for univariable analysis and multivariable logistic regression for identifying significant factors. This study included 126,375 participants, with a gender distribution of 51.02% male and 48.98% female. The overall prevalence of myopia was 71.34%. Higher prevalence was observed in girls (72.26%) compared to boys (70.45%), and the prevalence increased with age, peaking at 73.12% in 15-year-olds. Urban residents had a higher prevalence (71.86%) than rural (70.39%). Factors such as increased frequency of eye usage while lying down or leaning forward, frequent use of eyes while walking or riding in a car, prolonged screen time, and extended homework duration were associated with higher odds of developing myopia. Conversely, higher frequency of outdoor exercise, maintaining proper posture during reading and writing, greater distance from eyes to screen, and longer sleep duration were associated with lower odds. Additionally, female gender, older age, urban residence, and parental history of myopia increased the risk. The high prevalence of myopia among adolescents in Shandong Province was influenced by a combination of demographic, behavioral, and environmental factors. The study highlighted the importance of lifestyle modifications, such as increasing outdoor activities and maintaining proper visual habits, limiting the duration of screen exposure and homework sessions, and extending sleep duration, to mitigate the risk of developing myopia. These findings underscored the need for targeted public health interventions and educational campaigns to address this significant public health issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihao Huang
- School of Big Data and Fundamental Sciences, Shandong Institute of Petroleum and Chemical Technology, Dongying, China
| | - Dingding Song
- Common Course Teaching Department, Shandong University of Art and Design, Jinan, China
| | - Zhiqi Tian
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shengli Oilfield Central Hospital, Dongying, China.
| | - Yongming Wang
- School of Big Data and Fundamental Sciences, Shandong Institute of Petroleum and Chemical Technology, Dongying, China
| | - Kunzong Tian
- School of Big Data and Fundamental Sciences, Shandong Institute of Petroleum and Chemical Technology, Dongying, China
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Legesse N, Abdissa B, Begna Z, Lemma D. Prevalence of visual impairment and associated factors among primary school children in Ambo Town, Ethiopia, 2021. SAGE Open Med 2024; 12:20503121241236136. [PMID: 38826822 PMCID: PMC11143799 DOI: 10.1177/20503121241236136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Visual impairment is a functional limitation of the eye(s) or the visual system manifested as reduced visual acuity. At least 2.2 billion people have visual impairment worldwide, and 90% of people with visual impairment have either preventable or treatable causes with cost-effective interventions. Objectives To assess magnitude of visual impairment and associated factors among primary school children in Ambo Town, Ethiopia, in 2021. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in selected primary schools of Ambo Town. A simple random sampling technique was used to select schools and study participants. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire and entered into Epidata version 3.1 for analysis by using SPSS version 23. Binary logistic regression was adopted to identify statistically significant factors which were associated with visual impairment. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to evaluate how well the logistic regression model fits to the data. Results About 780 out of 838 primary school children were enrolled in the study, yielding a response rate of 93.07%. The estimated prevalence of visual impairment was 8.8% with 95% CI: 6.81-10.79. The main risk factor for visual impairment among primary school children were Students' grade level, exposure to mobile screen, family history of visual problems, and family awareness about the status of their child's eye problems were significantly associated with visual impairments (AOR = 2.375, 95% CI: 1.079-5.226; AOR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.401-5.01; AOR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.071-5.42; and AOR = 4.503, 95% CI: 2.12-9.55, respectively). Conclusion A high prevalence of visual impairment was observed among primary school children. Attending higher grades, being exposed to mobile screen, and having a family history of visual problems were significantly associated with visual impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nigist Legesse
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ambo University, Ambo, Ethiopia
| | - Bayisa Abdissa
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ambo University, Ambo, Ethiopia
| | - Zenabu Begna
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ambo University, Ambo, Ethiopia
| | - Dereje Lemma
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ambo University, Ambo, Ethiopia
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Li Q, Zhou W, Liao Y, Chen H, Sun Y, Wang M, Wang X, Wang W. Prevalence Trend of Myopia during the Post-COVID-19 Epidemic Period among Preschoolers: A Prospective School-based Study. Optom Vis Sci 2023; 100:727-734. [PMID: 37678562 DOI: 10.1097/opx.0000000000002069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE Changes in behavior and lifestyle during the post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic may have some impact on myopia rates in preschoolers, and exploring the changes in myopia rates in preschool children may inform the formulation of myopia prevention and control policies. PURPOSE This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of myopia in preschool children during the post-COVID-19 epidemic period in Xuzhou, China. METHODS A series of cross-sectional school-based studies was conducted. A total of 117,632 preschool children aged 3 to 6 years were subjected to annual vision screening from 2019 to 2021. Spot photo screening was used to record the spherical equivalent refraction for each child and to analyze the prevalence of myopia by age, sex, and region during the post-COVID-19 epidemic period. RESULTS A total of 113,979 preschool children were included in the analysis, of whom 60,784 (53.3%) were male and 53,195 (46.7%) were female. For all children, the mean ± standard deviation spherical equivalent refraction in 2019, 2020, and 2021 was +0.32 ± 0.50, +0.34 ± 0.55, and +0.34 ± 0.54 D, respectively (all P < .05), indicative of a very slight hyperopic shift. In all age groups, the change in mean spherical equivalent refraction and its distribution were relatively stable. From 2019 to 2021, the overall prevalence of myopia in preschool children was 3.1, 3.3, and 3.5%, respectively. The rise in myopia rates was minimal. The largest increase in the annual prevalence of myopia was seen among children aged 6 years, at 0.5%, followed by those aged 5 years (0.4%) and aged 3 years (0.4%). The prevalence was higher in boys than girls and in urban versus rural areas. CONCLUSIONS During the post-COVID-19 epidemic period, the refractive status of Xuzhou preschool children remained stable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wen Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ya Liao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Hongyan Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yanmei Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Mei Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
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Prakash WD, Marmamula S, Mettla AL, Keeffe J, Khanna RC. Variations in the prevalence of vision impairment across regions among school children in Telangana State, South India. Indian J Ophthalmol 2023; 71:3322-3327. [PMID: 37787229 PMCID: PMC10683682 DOI: 10.4103/ijo.ijo_215_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Undetected vision impairment (VI) could negatively affect the overall development in children. School vision screening program is a viable and cost-effective approach for the early identification and management of VI. Aim This study aims to estimate the prevalence of VI, its risk factors, and ocular morbidity among school children in Telangana, South India. Methods Children aged 4-15 years attending schools in the study area were screened in this study. The vision screenings were performed in schools by trained community eye health workers using 6/12 tumbling E optotypes. Children who failed the test and/or presented with other eye conditions were referred to vision centers or secondary and tertiary eye care centers. A comprehensive eye examination was conducted in these centers, including cycloplegic refraction and fundus examination. Results A total of 774,184 children, with a mean age of 9.4 ± 3.27 years, were screened. Overall, 51.49% (N = 398,596) were male. In total, 4.33% [N = 33,528; 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.29-4.38] required referral services, while 1.16% (N = 9,002) had a presenting visual acuity of < 6/12. Multivariate analysis showed a high risk of VI among older children [Adj. odds ratio (OR): 5.75; 95% CI: 5.18-6.38], those with disabilities (Adj. OR: 5.12; 95% CI: 4.14-6.33), female gender (Adj. OR: 1.29; 95% CI: 1.24 - 1.35), and those residing in the urban areas (Adj. OR: 2.87; 95% CI: 2.42-3.39). The main cause of VI was uncorrected refractive errors (74.14%). Conclusion The prevalence of VI among school children was 1.16% in Telangana, South India, and refractive error was the leading cause of VI among this population. Increasing age, urban location, female gender and other disabilities increase the risk of VI among children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winston D Prakash
- Allen Foster Community Eye Health Research Centre, Gullapalli Pratibha Rao International Centre for Advancement of Rural Eye Care, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
- Brien Holden Institute of Optometry and Vision Science, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Srinivas Marmamula
- Allen Foster Community Eye Health Research Centre, Gullapalli Pratibha Rao International Centre for Advancement of Rural Eye Care, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
- Brien Holden Institute of Optometry and Vision Science, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Asha Latha Mettla
- Allen Foster Community Eye Health Research Centre, Gullapalli Pratibha Rao International Centre for Advancement of Rural Eye Care, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Jill Keeffe
- Allen Foster Community Eye Health Research Centre, Gullapalli Pratibha Rao International Centre for Advancement of Rural Eye Care, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Rohit C Khanna
- Allen Foster Community Eye Health Research Centre, Gullapalli Pratibha Rao International Centre for Advancement of Rural Eye Care, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
- Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
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Maniyali F, Sanchez O, Papaconstantinou E, Barakat C. Determinants of Health Care Needs in Relation to Vision Correction among Adolescents in the United Arab Emirates: A Cross-Sectional Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6547. [PMID: 37623133 PMCID: PMC10454015 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20166547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Uncorrected refractive error has been suggested to affect children's development, educational performance, and socialization. Sociodemographic and environmental differences among individuals may impact their accessibility to utilizing appropriate services, impacting their vision-dependent activities. METHODS Guided by the population health framework, this retrospective study assessed the prevalence of self-reported vision correction needs and its determinants for a sample of adolescents (n = 6363) from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) aged 13 to 20 years between 2007 to 2009. RESULTS The findings suggest a relatively high prevalence of self-reported vision correction needs (26.8%), with among 24.8% males and 31.7% among females. Factors that were significantly associated with vision correction needs included age, biological sex, location of residence (emirate), nationality, parental education and employment level, household financial status, screen time use, visiting an eye specialist in the past year, and daily functional capacity. CONCLUSION Reporting the vision correction needs of the adolescent population and identifying its determinants may help identify and resolve modifiable barriers to accessing the appropriate vision care resources. Further research in assessing the type of refractive error, potential genetic and environmental factors, and vision care services in each emirate may help decision-makers set appropriate policies to improve the overall quality of eye health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faryal Maniyali
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, ON L1G 0C5, Canada
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Harrington S, O'Dwyer V. The association between time spent on screens and reading with myopia, premyopia and ocular biometric and anthropometric measures in 6- to 7-year-old schoolchildren in Ireland. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2023; 43:505-516. [PMID: 36843144 DOI: 10.1111/opo.13116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE More time spent on near tasks has consistently been associated with the promotion of myopia. The World Health Organization advises limiting daily screentime to less than 2 h for children aged five and over. This study explored the relationship between time spent on screens and reading/writing with refractive status, ocular biometric and anthropometric factors in 6- to 7-year-olds in Ireland. METHODS Participants were 723 schoolchildren (377 boys [51.8%]), mean age 7.08 (0.45) years. The examination included cycloplegic autorefraction (1% cyclopentolate hydrochloride), ocular biometry (Zeiss IOLMaster), height (cm) and weight (kg). Screentime and reading/writing time were reported by parents/legal guardians by questionnaire. Myopia (≤-0.50D) and premyopia (>-0.50D ≤ 0.75D) risk assessments were performed using logistic regression, and multivariate linear regression was used to analyse continuous variables. RESULTS Reported daily screentimes were 31% <1 h, 49.5% 1-2 h, 15.6% 2-4 h and 3.9% >4 h. Reading/writing times were 42.2% frequently, 48.0% infrequently and 9.8% seldom/never. Linear regression, controlling for age and ethnicity, revealed >2 h/day on screens was associated with a more myopic spherical equivalent [β = -1.15 (95% confidence intervals {CIs}: 1.62-0.69, p < 0.001)], increased refractive astigmatism (β = 0.29, CI: 0.06-0.51, p = 0.01), shorter corneal radius (β = 0.12, CI: 0.02-0.22, p = 0.02), higher axial length/corneal radius (β = 0.06, CI: 0.03-0.09, p < 0.001), heavier weight (β = 1.60, CI: 0.76-2.45, p < 0.001) and higher body mass index (BMI) (β = 1.10, CI: 0.28-1.12, p < 0.001). Logistic regression, controlling for age and ethnicity, revealed daily screentime >2 h was associated with myopia (OR = 10.9, CI: 4.4-27.2, p = 0.01) and premyopia (OR = 2.4, CI: 1.5-3.7, p < 0.001). Frequent reading/writing was associated with screentime ≤2 h/day (OR = 3.2, CI: 1.8-5.8, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Increased screentime was associated with a more myopic refraction, higher axial length/corneal radius ratio, increased odds of myopia, premyopia, higher degrees of astigmatism, increased weight, BMI and decreased reading/writing time. Dedicated education programmes promoting decreased screentime in children are vital to prevent myopia and support eye and general health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Síofra Harrington
- School of Physics, Clinical, and Optometric Sciences, and Centre for Eye Research Ireland, Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Veronica O'Dwyer
- School of Physics, Clinical, and Optometric Sciences, and Centre for Eye Research Ireland, Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Topical Review: Optometry in Nepal-Clinical Practice, Research Advances, and Challenges. Optom Vis Sci 2023; 100:134-142. [PMID: 36728818 DOI: 10.1097/opx.0000000000001980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE This article reviews educational standard, clinical practice, research advances, and challenges associated with optometry in Nepal and provides critical considerations for contemporary and new optometry programs in countries with similar socioeconomic status and health care systems.Optometry education started in Nepal in 1998 with the primary objective of addressing the unmet needs of eye health and vision care in the country. Over the last two decades, this program has made significant contributions to facilitating and improving the delivery of quality eye care and establishing the nation's eye health system as an exemplary model in South Asia. Despite the positive impact in a short time, optometry education and the profession continue to face several challenges, including a shortage of training resources and facilities, poor quality control and regulation of practice standards, lack of professional recognition, limited pathways for entry to governmental jobs via the national public service commission, and limited clinical and academic opportunities in existing eye care programs. This article reviews current education and clinical practice standards, highlights research advances, and discusses present and future challenges in sustaining and improving the quality of education and advancing the scope of practice of optometry in Nepal. Given the limited access to primary eye care services in Nepal, appropriate professional recognition and integration into the national health system, and initiatives targeted at improving the delivery of optometry education in alignment with successful international models may provide a long-sought solution to making eye care services accessible to all and lowering the burden of visual impairment in the country.
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Hashemi H, Khabazkhoob M, Fayaz M, Emamian MH, Yekta A, Iribarren R, Fotouhi A. Refractive Errors and Their Associated Factors in Schoolchildren: A Structural Equation Modeling. Ophthalmic Epidemiol 2023; 30:46-56. [PMID: 35333680 DOI: 10.1080/09286586.2022.2048397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the prevalence of myopia and hyperopia in Shahroud schoolchildren and their risk factors. METHODS Optometric examinations including the measurement of uncorrected and corrected visual acuity as well as non-cycloplegic and cycloplegic refraction using retinoscopy were done for students. Generalized Structural Equation Modeling (GSEM) was used to determine direct and indirect effects of independent variables on myopia and hyperopia. RESULTS The data of 5581 students with a mean age of 9.24 ± 1.7 years were used in this study. The prevalence of myopia was 5.0% (95%CI: 4.3-5.7) and the prevalence of hyperopia was 4.8% (95%CI: 4.0 - 5.5) in all schoolchildren. According to the GSEM results, the odds of myopia in rural areas were 0.55 compared to urban areas. A one-unit increase in the ocular AL increased the odds of myopia by 4.91 times. The interaction of sex and age on myopia was significant such that in girls, the odds of myopia increased by 20% for every one-year increase in age while no significant change was seen in boys. A one-unit increase in the ocular AL decreased the odds of hyperopia by 0.49 times. Moreover, the interaction of outdoor activity hours and sex on the prevalence of hyperopia was significant such that increased outdoor activity reduced the odds of hyperopia in girls while no significant correlation was found in boys. CONCLUSION Myopia and hyperopia had moderate prevalence. Axial Length had the largest direct association on myopia and hyperopia. Age and outdoor activity had weak associations on refractive errors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Hashemi
- Noor Research Center for Ophthalmic Epidemiology, Noor Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Khabazkhoob
- Department of Psychiatric Nursing and Management, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Fayaz
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hassan Emamian
- Ophthalmic Epidemiology Research Center, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
| | - Abbasali Yekta
- Department of Optometry, School of Paramedical Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Akbar Fotouhi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Anh VT, Fabrizio D, Xuan LTT, Van PTV, Nga TTH. Survey of Refractive Errors in Secondary School and Refractive Errors Based- School Screening in Vietnam. Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2022.10273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND: School-based visual acuity screening activities calculate the rates of students with possible refractive errors (REs). School staff informs the results of the children’s parents and the need for an in-depth examination to assist students with RE.
AIM: The study aimed to identify the prevalence of REs among secondary students and REs based school screening in some provinces in Vietnam.
METHODS: There are 4838 secondary students participating in the survey. All of them were screened for visual acuity by trained school staff including teachers and nurses. Then, a sub-sample of 1404 students was randomly selected for examination by ophthalmologists. There is a set of criteria to identify cases of low vision. We compared the school staff’s visual acuity screening results with ophthalmologists’ results to identify the difference in visual screening methods.
RESULTS: The proportion of students with untreated eye problems and that of students with an uncorrected refractive error are currently quite high (at, respectively, 18.5% and 24.6%), especially in urban areas in Da Nang and Hai Duong provinces. Two of three children with RE have not received the appropriate correction. The results of visual acuity screenings were conducted by school staff in the target area have a sensitivity of 60.9% and a specificity of 93.8%.
CONCLUSIONS: This indicates that efforts toward detecting students with RE need investments to mitigate the current issues in secondary school. The results suggest that school staffs including teachers and nurses need to be trained with better knowledge and skills in performing screening to improve their screening performance.
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Sagemüller F, Bruns S, Mußhoff O. The effect of poor vision on economic farm performance: Evidence from rural Cambodia. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0274048. [PMID: 36083987 PMCID: PMC9462746 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Roughly one-fifth of the global population is affected by poor visual acuity. Despite the fact that inhabitants of rural areas in low-income countries are most distressed by this, no prior research has studied the impact of poor visual acuity on the economic performance of farms. We conduct a standardized eye test with 288 farm managers in rural Cambodia and find that around 30 percent of our sample suffers from poor visual acuity in terms of nearsightedness (myopia). Our analyses indicate a statistically significant and economically meaningful association of poor visual acuity with economic farm performance. Our results show that gross margins for cropping activities per year could be, on average, around 630 USD higher if farm managers were able to correct for poor vision. Our results suggest that poor visual acuity impairs farm managers from tapping the full potential of their business, which in turn decreases their chance to break the vicious cycle of poverty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederik Sagemüller
- Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Selina Bruns
- Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Oliver Mußhoff
- Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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Morjaria P, Massie J, Bastawrous A. A School Eye Health Rapid Assessment (SEHRA) planning tool: Module to survey the magnitude and nature of local needs. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1665. [PMID: 36056322 PMCID: PMC9437397 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13927-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Eye conditions in children can have negative consequences on visual functioning and quality of life. There is a lack of data on the magnitude of children with eye conditions who need services for effective planning of school eye health programmes. To address this, the School Eye Health Rapid Assessment (SEHRA) tool is being developed to collect data to support school eye health programme planning. METHODS The module, 'the magnitude and nature of local needs in school children' is the first of six modules in the SEHRA tool. The module outlines a school-based cluster survey designed to determine the magnitude of eye health needs in children. This paper outlines the survey sampling strategy, and sample size calculations. RESULTS The requirements for the SEHRA survey indicate that in regions where a larger sample size is required, or where fewer schools are recruited to the survey, confidence in the accuracy of the data will be lower. CONCLUSIONS The SEHRA survey module 'the magnitude and nature of local needs in school children' can be applied in any context. In certain circumstances, the confidence in the survey data will be reduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Morjaria
- International Centre for Eye Health, Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
- Peek Vision, London, UK.
| | - Jessica Massie
- International Centre for Eye Health, Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Peek Vision, London, UK
| | - Andrew Bastawrous
- International Centre for Eye Health, Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Peek Vision, London, UK
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AlThomali TA, AlQurashi M, AlGhamdi AS, Ibrahim A, AlSwailmi FK. Prevalence of refractive errors in school-going children of Taif region of Saudi Arabia. Saudi J Ophthalmol 2022; 36:70-74. [PMID: 35971495 PMCID: PMC9375459 DOI: 10.4103/sjopt.sjopt_46_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the prevalence of refractive errors in the pediatric population in Taif, Saudi Arabia. METHODS This cross-sectional study included 7356 eyes of 3678 primary and secondary school children (males = 1837; females = 1841) with a mean age of 11.8 ± 2.2 years (range: 7-18) (males = 11.4 ± 2.0 [range: 8-16]; females = 12.2 ± 2.3 [range: 7-18]). All participants were selected from the school registers. The participants underwent noncycloplegic refraction to determine refractive errors. Students who refused visual acuity assessment or eye examination and were inconsistent in visual acuity assessment were excluded. RESULTS The manifest refraction spherical equivalent of the study population was 0.37 ± 1.52 D (range from - 18.4 to 8.8 D) (males = -0.32 ± 1.4 D [range - 15.88-8.8 D]; females = -0.42 ± 1.6 D [range - 18.38-8.0 D]). The overall prevalence of uncorrected refractive errors among school children in this study was 50.91%. The overall distribution of astigmatism (cylinder error of ≥0.50 D) in the current study population was found to be 50.14% (3688/7356 eyes). CONCLUSION Nearly half of the study population in this area was affected with at least one type of refractive error. The findings reveal the necessity for implementing timely and sensitive screening programs/methods to identify and correct refractive errors in this age group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talal A. AlThomali
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical College, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia,Address for correspondence: Dr. Talal A. AlThomali, Taif University, PO Box 795, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia. E-mail:
| | - Majed AlQurashi
- Anterior Segment Division, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - Farhan K. AlSwailmi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical College, University of Hafr Al-Batin, Hafr Al-Batin, Saudi Arabia
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Rangavittal S, Krishnamurthy SS, Chandrasekar A, Narayanan A. Vision Impairment among Children in South India: Results from a Large-Scale School Eye Screening. Ophthalmic Epidemiol 2022; 30:268-275. [PMID: 35757928 DOI: 10.1080/09286586.2022.2090006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To provide the prevalence of vision impairment and blindness among 250,000 school children aged 6 to 17 years, screened in Tamil Nadu, India. METHODS The study was conducted between 2016 and 2019 as a part of the school eye screening program in Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu. The clinical examination included basic vision testing, objective refraction, subjective acceptance, spectacle dispensing, and a posterior segment evaluation. The prevalence of vision impairment, blindness, low vision, and the association with other demographic variables using logistic regression were calculated. RESULTS A total of 250,052 children were screened in 1047 schools and the prevalence of vision impairment, blindness, and low vision in Kanchipuram district was 3.83%, 0.01%, 0.19%, respectively. The major causes for vision impairment, blindness, and low vision were refractive errors (3.05%), high myopia (0.002%), and refractive amblyopia (0.04%), respectively. Vision impairment was significantly associated with urban location (OR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.36-1.48, p < .0001), females (OR = 1.11, 95%CI - 1.08-1.15, p < .0001), private schools (OR = 2.43, 95%CI - 2.35-2.42, p < .0001), higher secondary class grade (OR = 1.69, 95%CI - 1.61-1.77, p = .001), high-school class grade (OR = 1.65, 95%CI - 1.58-1.72, p = .001) and middle school class grade (OR = 1.53, 95%CI - 1.47-1.59, p = .001). CONCLUSION This large-scale school eye screening reports a comparatively lower prevalence of vision impairment, blindness, and low vision when compared to other studies conducted around the world. Although the overall prevalence is relatively low, the causes are mostly refractive. Urban, female, private school-going children aged 11-17 are at higher risk.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ambika Chandrasekar
- Elite School of Optometry, Unit of Medical Research Foundation Chennai, India
| | - Anuradha Narayanan
- Elite School of Optometry, Unit of Medical Research Foundation Chennai, India
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Trovato Battagliola E, Mangiantini P, D’Andrea M, Malvasi M, Loffredo L, Scalinci SZ, Comberiati AM, Migliorini R, Pacella E. Effect of COVID-19 lockdown on refractive errors in Italian children aged 5-12 years: A multi-center retrospective study. Eur J Ophthalmol 2022; 33:112-122. [PMID: 35678641 PMCID: PMC9189327 DOI: 10.1177/11206721221106135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE to explore the potential consequences of the COVID-19 lockdown on the prevalence of myopia among Italian children aged 5-12 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS retrospective multicenter study conducted in Italy. Population: children aged 5-12. Selection: random selection of children who received an eye exam between 2016 to 2021. Inclusion criteria: healthy children presenting for a routine eye exam. Exclusion criteria: presence of ocular comorbidities other than refractive error, such as blepharoptosis, media opacities, corneal or retinal dystrophies, strabismus, amblyopia, or concurrent therapy with atropine 0.01%. Outcome measure: age and spherical equivalent (SE) measured in diopters (D) in the right eye (RE) in cycloplegia. Statistical analysis: ANOVA test. RESULTS total of 803 children. In the years prior to COVID-19, the mean SE ± SD of healthy age-school children was: 0.54 ± 1.49 D in 2016; 0.43 ± 1.84 D in 2017; 0.34 ± 1.41 D in 2018; 0.35 ± 1.75 D in 2019 (ANOVA, p = .659). In 2021, the mean SE changed to -0.08 ± 1.44 D (ANOVA, p = .005). Mean age was comparable in all groups (ANOVA, p = .307). The prevalence of myopes (SE ≤-0.5D) and hyperopes (SE ≥ 2D) was respectively 24.10% and 9.64% among children aged 60-96 months, and 63.86% and 6.02% among children aged 97-144 months. These values represent a statistically-significant increase in the number of myopes (Chi-square, p = .016) and decrease in the number of hyperopes (Chi-square, p = .001), as compared to previous years (.06 and.48 respectively). CONCLUSION this retrospective study shows a statistically-significant decrease in the mean SE in children aged 5-12 in the year following the COVID-19 lockdown. The percentage of myopes has increased significantly, while the percentage of hyperopes has decreased. The lifestyle changes caused by the lockdown led children to spend more time on near-work activities and digital devices, and less time outdoors. These are known risk factors for the development and progression of myopia. Studies in different countries are encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pietro Mangiantini
- Department of Sense Organs, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mattia D’Andrea
- Department of Sense Organs, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariaelena Malvasi
- Department of Sense Organs, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Loffredo
- Department of Clinical, Internal Medicine, Anesthesiology and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Anna Maria Comberiati
- Department of Sense Organs, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaele Migliorini
- Department of Sense Organs, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Pacella
- Department of Sense Organs, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy,Elena Pacella, Department of Sense Organs, University Sapienza, Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale, del Policlinico 155 - 00161 Rome, Italy.
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Prakash WD, Marmamula S, Mettla AL, Keeffe J, Khanna RC. Visual impairment and refractive errors in school children in Andhra Pradesh, India. Indian J Ophthalmol 2022; 70:2131-2139. [PMID: 35647998 PMCID: PMC9359223 DOI: 10.4103/ijo.ijo_2949_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Addressing childhood vision impairment (VI) is one of the main goals of the World Health Organization's (WHO) combating blindness strategies. The primary aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of VI, causes, and its risk factors in school children in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Methods Children aged 4-15 years were screened in schools using the 6/12 Snellen optotype by trained community eye health workers, and those who failed the test and those reported or found to have obvious eye conditions were referred to primary (VC), secondary (SC), or tertiary (TC) care centre appropriately, where they underwent a complete eye examination including cycloplegic refraction and fundus examination. Results A total of 56,988 children were screened, of whom 51.18% were boys. The mean age was 9.69 ± 3.26 years (4-15 years). Overall, 2,802/56,988 (4.92%) children were referred to a VC, of which 632/56,988 (1.11%) required referral to SC/TC. PVA of <6/12 was found in 1.72% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.61-1.83). The prevalence of refractive error (corrected and uncorrected) was 2.38% (95% CI: 2.26-2.51) and myopia was 2.17% (95% CI: 2.05-2.29). In multivariable analysis, older children, those in urban schools, private schools, and children with a disability had an increased risk of VI and myopia. Additionally, the risk of myopia was higher among girls than boys. Of those referred and reached SC/TC, 73.64% were due to avoidable causes. Conclusion Childhood VI prevalence was 1.72% in this region. Uncorrected refractive error (URE) was the major cause of VI in children. Older age, schools in urban locations, private schools, and the presence of disability were associated with the risk of VI among children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winston D Prakash
- Allen Foster Community Eye Health Research Centre, Gullapalli Pratibha Rao International Centre for Advancement of Rural Eyecare; Brien Holden Institute of Optometry and Vision Science, L V Prasad Eye Institute Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Srinivas Marmamula
- Allen Foster Community Eye Health Research Centre, Gullapalli Pratibha Rao International Centre for Advancement of Rural Eyecare; Brien Holden Institute of Optometry and Vision Science, L V Prasad Eye Institute Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Asha Latha Mettla
- Allen Foster Community Eye Health Research Centre, Gullapalli Pratibha Rao International Centre for Advancement of Rural Eyecare, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Jill Keeffe
- Allen Foster Community Eye Health Research Centre, Gullapalli Pratibha Rao International Centre for Advancement of Rural Eyecare, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Rohit C Khanna
- Allen Foster Community Eye Health Research Centre, Gullapalli Pratibha Rao International Centre for Advancement of Rural Eyecare, L V Prasad Eye Institute; Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana, India; School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
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Hu B, Liu Z, Zhao J, Zeng L, Hao G, Shui D, Mao K. The Global Prevalence of Amblyopia in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:819998. [PMID: 35601430 PMCID: PMC9114436 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.819998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological data about the prevalence of amblyopia around the world vary widely among regions and periods. This meta-analysis aimed to determine the global prevalence of amblyopia in children. PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched for prevalence studies published up to 5 November 2021. The outcome was the prevalence of amblyopia, analyzed as pooled estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CI). A total of 97 studies were included, including 4,645,274 children and 7,706 patients with amblyopia. The overall worldwide pooled prevalence of amblyopia was 1.36% (95%CI: 1.27-1.46%). The prevalence of amblyopia was higher in males (1.40%, 95%CI: 1.10-1.70%) than in females (1.24%, 95%CI: 0.94-1.54%) (OR = 0.885, 95%CI: 0.795-0.985, P = 0.025). The results of the meta-regression analysis showed that there were no significant associations between the prevalence of amblyopia and geographical area, publication year, age, sample size, and whether it was carried out in a developed or developing country (all P > 0.05). Begg's test (P = 0.065) and Egger's test (P < 0.001) showed that there was a significant publication bias in the prevalence of amblyopia. In conclusion, amblyopia is a significant vision problem worldwide, and public health strategies of early screening, treatment, and management are important.
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Efficacy of 0.01% low dose atropine and its correlation with various factors in myopia control in the Indian population. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7113. [PMID: 35501349 PMCID: PMC9061826 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10079-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of low-dose atropine compared to placebo in the Indian population and also to study the impact of various modifiable and non-modifiable factors on myopia progression (MP) and drug efficacy (DE). It was a single-centre prospective placebo-controlled interventional study. 43 participants aged 6–16 years with progressive myopia received 0.01% atropine in the right eyes (treatment) and placebo in the left eyes (control) for 1-year. The main outcome measures were annual MP and axial length elongation (ALE) in treatment and control eyes and their percentage difference between two eyes (drug efficacy). Secondary outcome measures were the occurrence of any adverse events and the correlation of MP, ALE, and DE with various factors. 40 participants (80 eyes) completed the follow-up. After 1-year, MP was 0.25 D (IQR 0.13–0.44) and 0.69 D (IQR 0.50–1.0) (p < 0.001) in treatment and control respectively (63.89% reduction) with respective ALE of 0.14 mm (IQR 0.05–0.35) and 0.32 mm (IQR 0.19–0.46) (p < 0.001) (44.44% reduction). No adverse events were noted. Reduction in MP and ALE was statistically significant in all children irrespective of age-group, baseline MP, family history, screen-time, near and outdoor-time. The strongest determinants of annual MP were age (Treatment: r = − 0.418, p = 0.007; Control: r = − 0.452, p = 0.003) and baseline MP (Treatment: r = 0.64, p = 0.000; Control: r = 0.79, p = 0.000). Screen-time in control eyes was associated with greater ALE (r = 0.620, p = 0.042). DE was higher when outdoor time exceeded 2 h/day (p = 0.035) while the efficacy was lower with prolonged near activities (p = 0.03), baseline fast-progressors (p < 0.05) and history of parental myopia (p < 0.05). 0.01% atropine is effective and safe in retarding MP and ALE in Indian eyes.
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Lanca C, Yam JC, Jiang W, Tham Y, Hassan Emamian M, Tan C, Guo Y, Liu H, Zhong H, Zhu D, Hu Y, Saxena R, Hashemi H, Chen L, Wong T, Cheng C, Pang C, Zhu H, Pan C, Liang YB, Fotouhi A, Bi H, Jonas JB, Saw S. Near work, screen time, outdoor time and myopia in schoolchildren in the Sunflower Myopia AEEC Consortium. Acta Ophthalmol 2022; 100:302-311. [PMID: 34142457 DOI: 10.1111/aos.14942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To examine the association between near work, screen time including TV and outdoor time with myopia in children from the Sunflower Myopia Asian Eye Epidemiology Consortium (AEEC). METHODS We analysed AEEC cross-sectional data (12 241 children) on risk factors (near work, screen time including TV and outdoor time) and myopia of six population-based studies (China, Hong Kong and Singapore). Cycloplegic refraction and axial length (AL) measurements were included. Risk factors were determined using questionnaires. Data were pooled from each study, and multivariable regression analysis was performed to evaluate the associations between risks factors and myopia, spherical equivalent (SE) and AL. RESULTS Among the included children, 52.1% were boys, 98.1% were Chinese and 69.7% lived in urban areas. Mean±standard deviation (SD) for age was 8.8 ± 2.9 years, for SE was -0.14 ± 1.8 D and for AL was 23.3 ± 1.1 mm. Myopia prevalence was 30.6%. In multivariate analysis, more reading and writing (OR = 1.17; 95% CI, 1.11-1.24), more total near work (OR = 1.05; 95% CI, 1.02-1.09) and less outdoor time (OR = 0.82, 95% CI, 0.75-0.88) were associated with myopia (p's < 0.05). These factors were similarly associated with SE and AL (p's < 0.05), except for total near work and AL (p = 0.15). Screen time including TV was not significantly associated with myopia (p = 0.49), SE (p = 0.49) or AL (p = 0.83). CONCLUSION In this study, increased reading and writing and decreased outdoor time were associated with myopia. Screen time may be a surrogate factor of near work or outdoor time, but further research is needed to assess its role as an independent risk factor for myopia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Lanca
- Singapore Eye Research Institute Singapore Singapore
- Comprehensive Health Research Centre Universidade NOVA de Lisboa Lisbon Portugal
| | - Jason C. Yam
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences The Chinese University of Hong Kong Hong Kong SAR Hong Kong
| | - Wen‐Jun Jiang
- Eye Institute of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jinan China
| | - Yih‐Chung Tham
- Singapore Eye Research Institute Singapore Singapore
- Ophthalmology and Visual Science Academic Clinical Program Duke‐NUS Medical School Singapore Singapore
| | - Mohammad Hassan Emamian
- Ophthalmic Epidemiology Research Center Shahroud University of Medical Sciences Shahroud Iran
| | - Chuen‐Seng Tan
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health National University of Singapore and National University Health System Singapore Singapore
| | - Yin Guo
- Tongren Eye Care Center Beijing Tongren Hospital Capital Medical University Beijing China
| | - Hu Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Hua Zhong
- Department of Ophthalmology the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University Kunming China
| | - Dan Zhu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University Huhhot China
| | - Yuan‐Yuan Hu
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jinan China
| | - Rohit Saxena
- Pediatric Ophthalmology, Strabismus and Neuro‐Ophthalmology Section Dr. R P Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi India
| | - Hassan Hashemi
- Noor Ophthalmology Research Center Noor Eye Hospital Tehran Iran
| | - Li‐Jia Chen
- Comprehensive Health Research Centre Universidade NOVA de Lisboa Lisbon Portugal
| | - Tien‐Yin Wong
- Singapore Eye Research Institute Singapore Singapore
- Ophthalmology and Visual Science Academic Clinical Program Duke‐NUS Medical School Singapore Singapore
- Department of Ophthalmology Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine National University of Singapore Singapore Singapore
- Singapore National Eye Centre Singapore Singapore
| | - Ching‐Yu Cheng
- Singapore Eye Research Institute Singapore Singapore
- Ophthalmology and Visual Science Academic Clinical Program Duke‐NUS Medical School Singapore Singapore
- Department of Ophthalmology Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine National University of Singapore Singapore Singapore
| | - Chi‐Pui Pang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences The Chinese University of Hong Kong Hong Kong SAR Hong Kong
| | - Hui Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Chen‐Wei Pan
- School of Public Health Medical College of Soochow University Suzhou China
| | - Yuan Bo Liang
- Eye Hospital School of Ophthalmology and Optometry Wenzhou Medical University Wenzhou China
| | - Akbar Fotouhi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics School of Public Health Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Hong‐sheng Bi
- Eye Institute of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jinan China
| | - Jost B. Jonas
- Department of Ophthalmology Medical Faculty Mannheim University of Heidelberg Mannheim Germany
| | - Seang‐Mei Saw
- Singapore Eye Research Institute Singapore Singapore
- Ophthalmology and Visual Science Academic Clinical Program Duke‐NUS Medical School Singapore Singapore
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health National University of Singapore and National University Health System Singapore Singapore
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Berhane MA, Demilew KZ, Assem AS. Myopia: An Increasing Problem for Medical Students at the University of Gondar. Clin Ophthalmol 2022; 16:1529-1539. [PMID: 35615078 PMCID: PMC9126289 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s365618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of myopia among medical students at the University of Gondar College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Northwest Ethiopia. Patients and Methods Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Gondar College of Medicine and Health Sciences from June 20 to August 15, 2021. A simple random sampling technique with proportional allocation was used to select 492 students. Interviewer-administered questionnaire, Snellen acuity chart, pinhole, retinoscope and direct ophthalmoscope were used to collect the data. The data were entered to EpiData version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Descriptive statistics were summarized by measures of central tendency. Variables with p-value ≤0.2 in bivariable regression were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used and variables with p-values <0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Results A total of 492 respondents participated giving a response rate of 98.3%. The prevalence of myopia was found to be 16.7% (95% CI = 12.8–19.4%). Urban residents (AOR = 1.56; 95% CI: 1.28–6.21), family history of myopia (AOR = 2.31; 95% CI: 1.33–4.54), near-work activity of 5–7 hours (AOR = 2.41; 95% CI: 1.31–5.76) and ≥8 hours (AOR = 4.35; 95% CI: 1.96–9.66), outdoor activity for <3 hours (AOR = 1.65 95% CI: (1.14–4.53), were significantly associated with myopia. Conclusion The prevalence of myopia among medical students at the University of Gondar College of Medicine and Health Sciences was high. Urban residency, positive family history, longer time spent on near-work activities and less outdoor activity were positively associated with myopia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Assefa Berhane
- Department of Ophthalmology, St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Ketemaw Zewdu Demilew
- Department of Optometry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
- Correspondence: Ketemaw Zewdu Demilew, Department of Optometry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, PO Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia, Tel +251-918150629, Email
| | - Abel Sinshaw Assem
- Department of Optometry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
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Khan MS, Tafshir N, Alam KN, Dhruba AR, Khan MM, Albraikan AA, Almalki FA. Deep Learning for Ocular Disease Recognition: An Inner-Class Balance. COMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 2022:5007111. [PMID: 35528343 PMCID: PMC9071974 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5007111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
It can be challenging for doctors to identify eye disorders early enough using fundus pictures. Diagnosing ocular illnesses by hand is time-consuming, error-prone, and complicated. Therefore, an automated ocular disease detection system with computer-aided tools is necessary to detect various eye disorders using fundus pictures. Such a system is now possible as a consequence of deep learning algorithms that have improved image classification capabilities. A deep-learning-based approach to targeted ocular detection is presented in this study. For this study, we used state-of-the-art image classification algorithms, such as VGG-19, to classify the ODIR dataset, which contains 5000 images of eight different classes of the fundus. These classes represent different ocular diseases. However, the dataset within these classes is highly unbalanced. To resolve this issue, the work suggested converting this multiclass classification problem into a binary classification problem and taking the same number of images for both classifications. Then, the binary classifications were trained with VGG-19. The accuracy of the VGG-19 model was 98.13% for the normal (N) versus pathological myopia (M) class; the model reached an accuracy of 94.03% for normal (N) versus cataract (C), and the model provided an accuracy of 90.94% for normal (N) versus glaucoma (G). All of the other models also improve the accuracy when the data is balanced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Shakib Khan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, North South University, Bashundhara, Dhaka 1229, Bangladesh
| | - Nafisa Tafshir
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, North South University, Bashundhara, Dhaka 1229, Bangladesh
| | - Kazi Nabiul Alam
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, North South University, Bashundhara, Dhaka 1229, Bangladesh
| | - Abdur Rab Dhruba
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, North South University, Bashundhara, Dhaka 1229, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Monirujjaman Khan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, North South University, Bashundhara, Dhaka 1229, Bangladesh
| | - Amani Abdulrahman Albraikan
- Department of Computer Science, College of Computer and Information Sciences, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Faris A. Almalki
- Department of Computer Engineering, College of Computers and Information Technology, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
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Effect of Time Outdoors and Near-viewing Time on Myopia Progression in 9- to 11-year-old Children in Chongqing. Optom Vis Sci 2022; 99:489-495. [PMID: 35412498 DOI: 10.1097/opx.0000000000001898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE We used an Akeso device to record the visual behavior of children with myopia in two learning modes. We found that online class mode may increase near-viewing time and reduce outdoor time compared with the traditional school mode and may be responsible for accelerating myopia progression. PURPOSE We aimed to explore the effects of visual behavior in different learning mode on myopia progression among children 9-11 years old. METHODS Forty-nine children were included and requested to use a wearable device to objectively record visual behavior in real time from November 2019 to November 2020, participants took online classes from mid-February to early May 2020 during this period. Data (including glasses wearing time, outdoor time, and near-viewing time) were collected over two 14-day periods, which included the online class learning mode (March 2-15, 2020) and traditional school mode (May 20 to June 2, 2020). Spherical equivalent refraction and axial length were obtained at baseline, at 6-month intervals, and 1 year later. RESULTS Outdoor time during online class mode (median 9.5 min, IQR:0.75-48) was significantly lower than during school mode (median 29 min, IQR:11.50-50; P < .001). The mean ± standard deviation of near-viewing time was significantly different between online class mode (396.58 ± 114.41 min) and school mode (376.52 ± 93.99 min) (P = .007, F = 19.56). In comparison with the baseline examination (-2.33 ± 0.81 Diopter), mean spherical equivalent refraction in oculus dexter corresponding to the 6-month examination was decreased (-2.94 ± 0.83 D, P = .001), indicating a significant increase in myopia during online class mode. CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence of the association of learning mode and myopia progression, accelerated progression of myopia in online class mode may be related to increase near time and decreased time spent in outdoor activities.
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Tariq MA, Uddin QS, Ahmed B, Sheikh S, Ali U, Mohiuddin A. Prevalence of Pediatric Cataract in Asia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Curr Ophthalmol 2022; 34:148-159. [PMID: 36147271 PMCID: PMC9487007 DOI: 10.4103/joco.joco_339_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis for estimating the prevalence of pediatric cataracts across Asia. Methods A detailed literature search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases, from 1990 to July 2021, was performed to include all studies reporting the prevalence of cataracts among children. Two researchers performed the literature search and screening of articles independently, and a third researcher critically reviewed the overall search and screening process to ensure the consistency. The JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for studies reporting prevalence data was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. Results Of the 496 identified articles, 35 studies with a sample size of 1,168,814 from 12 Asian countries were included in this analysis. The estimated pooled prevalence of pediatric cataracts in Asian children is 3.78 (95% confidence interval: 2.54-5.26)/10,000 individuals with high heterogeneity (I[2] = 89.5%). The pooled prevalence by each country per 10,000 was 0.60 in Indonesia, 0.92 in Bangladesh, 1.47 in Iran, 2.01 in Bhutan, 3.45 in Laos, 3.68 in China, 4.27 in Thailand, 4.47 in India, 5.33 in Malaysia, 5.42 in Nepal, 9.34 in Vietnam, and 10.86 in Cambodia. Conclusions This study utilizes existing literature to identify the prevalence of cataracts in Asian children. Moreover, it highlights the need for more epidemiological studies with large sample sizes from other countries in Asia to accurately estimate the burden of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Ali Tariq
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dow University Hospital, Dow International Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | - Bilal Ahmed
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dow University Hospital, Dow International Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Shehryar Sheikh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dow University Hospital, Dow International Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Uzair Ali
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dow University Hospital, Dow International Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Ashar Mohiuddin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dow University Hospital, Dow International Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan
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Gebru EA, Mekonnen KA. Prevalence and Factors Associated with Myopia Among High School Students in Hawassa City, South Ethiopia, 2019. CLINICAL OPTOMETRY 2022; 14:35-43. [PMID: 35299899 PMCID: PMC8921835 DOI: 10.2147/opto.s308617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Myopia is one of the avoidable causes of visual impairment. Twenty-seven percent of the world population were myopic in 2010 and after 30 years it is expected half of the peoples in the planet will become myopic. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with myopia among high school students. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional school-based study design using stratified simple random sampling technique was used to select 349 high school students from 21 high schools in Hawassa city. The study was conducted from April 24 to May 7, 2019. Structured questionnaire, six meter Snellen visual acuity chart, trial frame, trial set, retinoscope and cyclopentolate 1% eye drops were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20 computer software. Variables having p-value <0.05 in multivariate logistic regression were considered as statistically significant. RESULTS A total of 349 participants having a response rate of 97% were involved with the mean age of 16.90±1.32 years. Prevalence of myopia was 16.05% (95%CI: 12.6, 20.1). Early age of schooling (adjusted odds ratio, AOR=3.14; 95%CI: 1.16, 10.06), parents being myopic (AOR=8.46; 95%CI: 7.11, 12.08), prolonged near work (AOR=11.65; 95%CI: 2.11, 64.5), short working distance (AOR=10.90; 95%CI: 0.57, 20.55), lack of outdoor sport activities (AOR=7.37; 95%CI: 2.71, 20.03) and visual display unit (VDU) usage (AOR=8.36; 95%CI: 2.39, 29.33) were variables significantly associated with myopia. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS The prevalence of myopia was high in the study area. Early age of schooling, parents being myopic, prolonged near work, short working distance, lack of outdoor sport activities, and visual display unit usage were variables significantly associated with myopia. There should be strategies to prevent visual impairments secondary to myopia with affordable optical corrections and appropriate use of visual display units.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Abera Gebru
- Department of Optometry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, South Ethiopia
| | - Kidus Ayichluhem Mekonnen
- Department of Optometry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, South Ethiopia
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Jrbashyan N, Yeghiazaryan N, Sikder A, Nallasamy S, Reid MW, Ohanesian R, Lee TC, Espinoza J. Pattern and prevalence of eye disorders and diseases in school-aged children: findings from the Nationwide School Sight Sampling Survey in Armenia. BMJ Open Ophthalmol 2022; 7:e000899. [PMID: 35265749 PMCID: PMC8860128 DOI: 10.1136/bmjophth-2021-000899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectiveThis study aims to identify the prevalence of eye disorders and their causes among secondary schoolchildren aged 6–15 years old in Armenia, based on analysis of the Nationwide School Sight Sampling Survey.Methods and AnalysisA two-stage proportionate stratified cluster sample was designed for the survey. 22 600 students were screened for visual acuity in schools; 5944 of them were selected for analysis as a nationally representative sample. Those with 20/40 or worse vision were referred to photoscreening and rapid ophthalmic assessment in schools and then were provided with vouchers for free comprehensive eye examination in eye clinics. Data were collected through data collection forms and analysed using SPSS V.23.ResultsWhile majority of the children (85%) had normal vision, 15% had a visual acuity ≤20/40. The prevalence of vision impairment (VI) in at least one eye was 9.7% and blindness in at least one eye was 0.05%. The prevalence of abnormal vision and VI was higher among girls and older children. VI was more prevalent in urban areas. The most common diagnoses were myopia (60%), astigmatism (33.7%), hyperopia (29.5%) and strabismus (3.8%).ConclusionMajority of the vision abnormalities and VI among schoolchildren are a result of refractive error and are treatable. Our results highlight the importance of regular eye examinations for schoolchildren to detect and prevent VI. Raising awareness among parents, school staff and children about eye health is vital.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nairuhi Jrbashyan
- Armenian EyeCare Project, Yerevan, Armenia
- Yerevan State University, Yerevan, Armenia
| | | | - Abu Sikder
- Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Sudha Nallasamy
- Surgery, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Mark W Reid
- Surgery, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Roger Ohanesian
- Armenian EyeCare Project, Yerevan, Armenia
- Department of Ophthalmology, UC Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Thomas C Lee
- Surgery, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Surgery, USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Juan Espinoza
- Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Pediatrics, USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Sume BW, Seyoum G. Prevalence of refractive errors among school students in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. SAGE Open Med 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/20503121221127096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Refractive errors are most common ocular disorders among children and adolescents. They remain as secondary causes of avoidable blindness in impoverished areas in Africa, most notably in Ethiopia. The problem worsens if it is not managed and addressed early. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the prevalence of refractive errors among school students in Ethiopia. Methods: We searched international databases such as PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Science Direct for relevant articles. Data were extracted using Microsoft Excel and exported to Stata version 14.0 software for analysis. The Cochrane Q and I2 tests were used to assess heterogeneity. Funnel plot, Egger’s, and Begg’s tests were used to assess reporting bias. Random effect meta-analysis model was employed to estimate pooled prevalence of refractive errors. A regional subgroup analysis was carried out. Results: We reviewed 22 qualified studies with 23,355 study participants. The overall prevalence of refractive errors among school students was 7.36% (95% confidence interval = 6.05, 8.67). The prevalence of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism was 5.10% (95% confidence interval = 3.79, 6.40), 0.95% (95% confidence interval = 0.59, 1.31), and 0.01% (95% confidence interval = 0.01, 0.04), respectively. From subgroup analysis, the highest prevalence of refractive errors was reported in Amhara Region (9.18%, 95% confidence interval = 6.63, 11.74), followed by Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ region (6.78%, 95% confidence interval = 4.65, 8.92) while the lowest prevalence of refractive errors was reported in Addis Ababa (3.93%, 95% confidence interval = 3.30, 4.56). Conclusion: In Ethiopia, the prevalence of refractive errors among school students is higher (7.36%) compared to what it was 5 years (7.05%) ago. Amhara Region has the highest prevalence of refractive errors among school students in Ethiopia with myopia being the most common type of refractive error.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bickes Wube Sume
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
| | - Girma Seyoum
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Yekta A, Hooshmand E, Saatchi M, Ostadimoghaddam H, Asharlous A, Taheri A, Khabazkhoob M. Global Prevalence and Causes of Visual Impairment and Blindness in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Curr Ophthalmol 2022; 34:1-15. [PMID: 35620376 PMCID: PMC9128433 DOI: 10.4103/joco.joco_135_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: To determine the global prevalence and common causes of visual impairment (VI) and blindness in children. Methods: In this meta-analysis, a structured search strategy was applied to search electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, as well as the list of references in the selected articles to identify all population-based cross-sectional studies that concerned the prevalence of VI and blindness in populations under 20 years of age up to January 2018, regardless of the publication date and language, gender, region of residence, or race. VI was reported based on presenting visual acuity (PVA), uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of equal to 20/60 or worse in the better eye. Blindness was reported as visual acuity worse than 20/400 in the better eye. Results: In the present study, 5711 articles were identified, and the final analyses were done on 80 articles including 769,720 people from twenty-eight different countries. The prevalence of VI based on UCVA was 7.26% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.34%–10.19%), PVA was 3.82% (95% CI: 2.06%–5.57%), BCVA was 1.67% (95% CI 0.97%–2.37%), and blindness was 0.17% (95% CI: 0.13%–0.21%). Refractive errors were the most common cause of VI in the subjects of selected articles (77.20% [95% CI: 73.40%–81.00%]). The prevalence of amblyopia was 7.60% (95% CI: 05.60%–09.10%) and congenital cataract was 0.60% (95% CI: 0.3%–0.9%). Conclusion: Despite differences in the definition of VI and blindness, based on PVA, 3.82%, and based on BCVA, 1.67% of the examined samples suffer from VI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbasali Yekta
- Department of Optometry, School of Paramedical Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Elham Hooshmand
- Iranian Research Center on Aging, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Saatchi
- Health in Emergency and Disaster Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hadi Ostadimoghaddam
- Refractive Errors Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amir Asharlous
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Department of Optometry, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azadeh Taheri
- Noor Research Center for Ophthalmic Epidemiology, Noor Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Khabazkhoob
- Department of Basic Sciences, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Yoon S, An S, Noh DH, Tuan LT, Lee J. Effects of health education on adolescents' non-cognitive skills, life satisfaction and aspirations, and health-related quality of life: A cluster-randomized controlled trial in Vietnam. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259000. [PMID: 34851980 PMCID: PMC8635366 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The effectiveness of health education on adolescents has been questioned, along with a growing body of empirical studies documenting the absence of behavioral changes after the intervention. However, evidence on its impact on other crucial health domains, besides health practices, is lacking. We evaluated the causal effects of a school-based health education program on adolescents’ multidimensional psychological health factors. Design A cluster-randomized controlled trial. Methods We conducted a cluster-randomized controlled trial involving 140 lower secondary schools in Vietnam. After stratifying by district, schools were randomized 1:1 to either treatment or control groups. Students enrolled in the treatment schools received monthly stand-alone health education in five topics by school teachers at the class level, but control group students did not receive any intervention. The primary outcomes of the study were students’ non-cognitive skills, life satisfaction, aspirations gap, and the Health-Related Quality of Life at five-month follow-up. We estimated the intention-to-treat effects with the panel fixed effects model using student panel data. Results Of the 6,477 students enrolled at baseline, 2,958 (92%) treated and 2,967 (91%) control students completed the follow-up survey five months after baseline data collection from October to December 2018. Compared with controls, health education led to improved treatment school students’ self-efficacy (p-value = 0.013), presumed life satisfaction five years from the present (p-value = 0.001), aspirations gap for a socially and mentally healthy future (p-value = 0.036), and the Health-Related Quality of Life (p-value = 0.036). Conclusion A school-based health education program enhanced students’ non-cognitive skills, life satisfaction and aspirations gap, and the Health-Related Quality of Life significantly. This study proposes essential psychological factors that should be taken into account when evaluating the effectiveness of a health education program in resource-limited settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangchul Yoon
- Department of Medical Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Shinki An
- Department of Medical Education, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dave Haeyun Noh
- Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Maryland, College Park, United States of America
| | - Le Thanh Tuan
- Department of Quality Testing, Thanh Hoa Medical College, Thanh Hoa, Vietnam
| | - Jongwook Lee
- Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Tshivhase SE, Mashau NS, Mathebula D. Prevalence and risk factors of myopia amongst Grade 8 learners in the Vhembe district, South Africa. AFRICAN VISION AND EYE HEALTH 2021. [DOI: 10.4102/aveh.v80i1.640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
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Sengo DB, Dos Santos IIDB, Faquihe MF, Tomo HBJF, Muaprato AM, Puchar S, Lôbo GMRJ, López-Izquierdo I, Caballero P. The Prevalence of Visual Impairment and Refractive Errors among a Youth Population in Mozambique: Evidence of the Need for Intervention. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 8:892. [PMID: 34682157 PMCID: PMC8534347 DOI: 10.3390/children8100892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Visual impairment (VI) can significantly interfere in the child's daily activities and quality of life, having a negative effect on their development and learning. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of VI and associated demographic factors in students examined during the program "Moçambique te vejo melhor". This study was cross-sectional and retrospective, based on the 2018/19 edition of the program. Eye examinations were performed in secondary school students, aged between 12 and 20 years, of five districts in Nampula province. The examination included visual acuity, non-cycloplegic refraction and assessment of the anterior and posterior segment and ocular adnexa. The prevalence of uncorrected, presenting and best-corrected VI found was 18.3%, 10.8%, and 5.0%, respectively. Refractive error (RE) had a prevalence of 24.7%, and the age groups between 15-17 years and 18-20 years were significantly associated with myopia (with OR: 4.9 and OR: 8.8, respectively), as well as the 11th and 12th grade (OR: 8.1 and OR: 10.7, respectively), and Malema district had association with myopia (ORa: 0.4) and hyperopia (ORa: 0.4 and OR: 0.3) as a protective factor. The prevalence of RE and VI was relatively high, showing the need for greater intervention at the school level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dulnério B. Sengo
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Lúrio University, Nampula City 3100, Mozambique; (D.B.S.); (I.I.D.B.D.S.); (M.F.F.); (H.B.J.F.T.); (A.M.M.); (S.P.); (G.M.R.J.L.)
| | - Isaura I. D. B. Dos Santos
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Lúrio University, Nampula City 3100, Mozambique; (D.B.S.); (I.I.D.B.D.S.); (M.F.F.); (H.B.J.F.T.); (A.M.M.); (S.P.); (G.M.R.J.L.)
| | - Momade F. Faquihe
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Lúrio University, Nampula City 3100, Mozambique; (D.B.S.); (I.I.D.B.D.S.); (M.F.F.); (H.B.J.F.T.); (A.M.M.); (S.P.); (G.M.R.J.L.)
| | - Hermenegildo B. J. F. Tomo
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Lúrio University, Nampula City 3100, Mozambique; (D.B.S.); (I.I.D.B.D.S.); (M.F.F.); (H.B.J.F.T.); (A.M.M.); (S.P.); (G.M.R.J.L.)
| | - Alcino M. Muaprato
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Lúrio University, Nampula City 3100, Mozambique; (D.B.S.); (I.I.D.B.D.S.); (M.F.F.); (H.B.J.F.T.); (A.M.M.); (S.P.); (G.M.R.J.L.)
| | - Sualé Puchar
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Lúrio University, Nampula City 3100, Mozambique; (D.B.S.); (I.I.D.B.D.S.); (M.F.F.); (H.B.J.F.T.); (A.M.M.); (S.P.); (G.M.R.J.L.)
| | - Guida M. R. J. Lôbo
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Lúrio University, Nampula City 3100, Mozambique; (D.B.S.); (I.I.D.B.D.S.); (M.F.F.); (H.B.J.F.T.); (A.M.M.); (S.P.); (G.M.R.J.L.)
| | - Inmaculada López-Izquierdo
- Department of Physics of Condensed Matter, Optics Area, University of Seville, Reina Mercedes St., 41012 Seville, Spain
| | - Pablo Caballero
- Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health and History of Science, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain;
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Luensmann D, Schaeffer JL, Rumney NJ, Stanberry A, Fonn D. Magnitude of astigmatism - A comparison between eyes. Cont Lens Anterior Eye 2021; 45:101510. [PMID: 34507898 DOI: 10.1016/j.clae.2021.101510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Astigmatism is a highly prevalent refractive error and while studies typically focus to describe the axis symmetry between eyes, little is known about the refractive symmetry. Therefore, this study determined the astigmatic power symmetry between eyes in a large clinic population. METHODS A clinical chart review was conducted at three optometric practices in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada and subjective refraction data from 88,891 patients 14-70 years of age who presented with at least -0.25DC refractive astigmatism in at least one eye were included in the analysis. Data were obtained at these practices between January 2014 and March 2017. The overall distribution (%) and magnitude (DC) of astigmatism was determined and refractive differences between eyes were identified. RESULTS The mean age of the patients was 42.1 ± 15.9 years and included 51,685 (58%) female and 37,206 (42%) male patients. In this data pool of 177,782 eyes, 10.9% required zero astigmatic correction, while 56.2% had astigmatism of -0.25 to -0.75DC. In total 23.9% of patients presented with astigmatism of at least -0.75DC in only one eye, while the other eye had 0 to -0.50DC. Overall, the difference in astigmatism between eyes was less than -0.75DC for 82.1% of astigmatic patients. For patients who presented with astigmatism of -1.00DC in the right eye, 80.8% of them had an astigmatic prescription of -1.00 ± 0.50DC in the left eye. For an astigmatic prescription of -4.00DC in the right eye, only 40.6% of patients exhibited astigmatism of -4.00DC ± 0.50DC in the left eye. CONCLUSIONS The majority of patients exhibited a difference in astigmatism between eyes of less than -0.75DC, however the refractive cylinder power symmetry was significantly lower in patients with higher refractive astigmatism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doerte Luensmann
- Centre for Ocular Research & Education, Waterloo, Canada; School of Optometry & Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada.
| | | | | | - Andre Stanberry
- School of Optometry & Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Desmond Fonn
- Centre for Ocular Research & Education, Waterloo, Canada; School of Optometry & Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
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Alem KD, Gebru EA. A cross-sectional analysis of refractive error prevalence and associated factors among elementary school children in Hawassa, Ethiopia. J Int Med Res 2021; 49:300060521998894. [PMID: 33752506 PMCID: PMC8013717 DOI: 10.1177/0300060521998894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective This study assessed the prevalence of refractive error (RE) and its
associated factors among elementary school children in Hawassa,
Ethiopia. Methods In this school-based cross-sectional study, a random selection technique with
proportional allocation was used to ensure a representative sample of
students. Survey questionnaires were used to collect sociodemographic,
environmental, and family history data. Clinical examinations were performed
to assess RE and ocular health. Associations between dependent and
independent variables were computed using adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and
95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Overall, 529 children participated in this study, with a response rate of
95.5% (529/554). Most participants were aged ≥12 years (337 [63.7%]), in
grade levels 5 to 8 (307 [58%]), and attended public schools (366 [69.2%]).
RE prevalence was 12.9% (95% CI: 10.0–16.1). Higher grade level (AOR=3.18,
95% CI: 1.68–5.97), positive family history of RE (AOR=3.69, 95% CI:
1.57–8.67), lack of paternal formal education (AOR=3.25, 95% CI: 1.20–8.77),
and public school attendance (AOR=3.33, 95% CI: 1.52–7.27) were factors
significantly associated with RE. Conclusions RE prevalence among elementary school children in Hawassa was higher than in
previous reports. Grade level, family history, paternal education level, and
school type significantly influenced RE status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kindie Desta Alem
- Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Elias Abera Gebru
- Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
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Effect of reading with a mobile phone and text on accommodation in young adults. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2021; 259:1281-1288. [PMID: 33464380 PMCID: PMC8102294 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-020-05054-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To investigate the effects of reading with mobile phone versus text on accommodation accuracy and near work-induced transient myopia (NITM) and its subsequent decay during near reading in young adults with mild to moderate myopia. Methods The refractions of 31 young adults were measured with an open-field autorefractor (WAM-5500, Grand Seiko) for two reading tasks with a mobile phone and text at 33 cm. The mean age of the young adults was 24.35 ± 1.80 years. The baseline refractive aspects were determined clinically with full distance refractive correction in place. The initial NITM and its decay time and accommodative lag were assessed objectively immediately after binocularly viewing a mobile phone or text for 40 min. Results The mean ± standard deviation (SD) initial NITM magnitude was greater for reading with text (0.23 ± 0.26 D) than for reading with mobile phone (0.12 ± 0.17 D), but there was no significant difference between the two reading tasks (p = 0.082). The decay time (median, first quartile, and third quartile) was 60 s (16, 154) and 70 s (32, 180) in the phone task and text task groups, respectively. There was also no significant difference in the decay time between the two reading types in general (p = 0.294). The accommodative lags of text tasks and mobile phones tasks were equivalent (1.27 ± 0.52 D vs 1.31 ± 0.64 D, p = 0.792). Conclusion There were no significant differences in accommodative lags and the initial NITM and its decay time between reading with a mobile phone and text in young adults.
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Liu J, Li B, Sun Y, Chen Q, Dang J. Adolescent Vision Health During the Outbreak of COVID-19: Association Between Digital Screen Use and Myopia Progression. Front Pediatr 2021; 9:662984. [PMID: 34113588 PMCID: PMC8185041 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.662984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted education systems globally, making digital devices common arrangements for adolescent learning. However, vision consequences of such behavioral changes are not well-understood. This study investigates the association between duration of daily digital screen engagement and myopic progression among 3,831 Chinese adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Study subjects report an average of 2.70 (SD = 1.77), 3.88 (SD = 2.23), 3.58 (SD = 2.30), and 3.42 (SD = 2.49) hours of television, computer, and smartphone for digital learning use at home, respectively. Researchers analyzed the association between digital screen use and myopic symptoms using statistical tools, and find that every 1 h increase in daily digital screen use is associated with 1.26 OR [Odds Ratio] (95% CI [Confidence Interval: 1.21-1.31, p < 0.001]) higher risks of myopic progression. Using computers (OR = 1.813, 95% CI = 1.05-3.12, p = 0.032) and using smartphones (OR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.19-3.43, p = 0.009) are shown to be associated with higher risks of myopic progression than television use. Results from additional sensitivity tests that included inverse probability weights which accounted for heterogeneous user profile across different device type categories confirm that these findings are robust. In conclusion, this study finds that daily digital screen use is positively associated with prevalence of myopic progression and holds serious vision health implications for adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Liu
- Faculty of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xian, China
| | - Baihuiyu Li
- Faculty of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xian, China
| | - Yan Sun
- Faculty of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xian, China
| | - Qiaoyi Chen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xian Jiaotong University, Xian, China
| | - Jingxia Dang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Xian Jiaotong University, Xian, China
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Magakwe TS, Xulu-Kasaba ZN, Hansraj R. Visual impairment and refractive error amongst school-going children aged 6–18 years in Sekhukhune District (Limpopo, South Africa). AFRICAN VISION AND EYE HEALTH 2020. [DOI: 10.4102/aveh.v79i1.551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Refractive error (RE) and visual impairment (VI) remain major problems affecting school-going children worldwide.Aim: To determine the prevalence and distribution of VI and RE in school-going children aged 6–18 years.Setting: The study was conducted in Sekhukhune District, Limpopo, South Africa.Methods: A multistage random sampling method was used to select school-going children aged 6–18 years from Grades 1 to 12. A total of 326 learners went through eye examinations, which included visual acuity (VA) measurement using a logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution chart, autorefraction under cycloplegia and ocular health assessment.Results: The prevalence of uncorrected, presenting and best-corrected VA of 0.30 M or worse in the better eye was 12.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.70–15.80), 12.3% (95% CI, 8.70–15.80) and 2.1% (95% CI, 0.60–3.70), respectively. Refractive error accounted for 80% (95% CI, 67.6–92.4) of all causes of VI. Myopia was the most prevalent RE (50.7%; 95% CI, 38.8–62.7), followed by astigmatism (36%; 95% CI, 24.3–47.3) and hypermetropia (13.6%; 95% CI, 5.30–21.6). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of RE and VI between males (50.7%; 95% CI, 38.8–62.7) and females (49.3%; 95% CI, 37.3–61.2). Refractive error and VI were higher amongst children aged 14–18 years: 56.7% (95% CI, 44.9–68.6) and 60% (95% CI, 44.8–75.20), respectively.Conclusion: The prevalence of RE and VI amongst school-going children in Sekhukhune District was high, highlighting the need for school visual screening and strategies to address these conditions in that area.
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Visual Impairment among Primary School Children in Gondar Town, Northwest Ethiopia. J Ophthalmol 2020; 2020:6934013. [PMID: 32908684 PMCID: PMC7463391 DOI: 10.1155/2020/6934013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background An impairment of the visual system at or shortly after birth adversely affects educational performance of children which typically occurs through vision. Limited evidence on the magnitude and causes of visual impairment is one of the reasons for the low priority given to eye care in low-income countries. Objectives To estimate the prevalence and determine the causes of visual impairment in primary school children in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia. Materials and Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 1289 children aged 5–15 years who were randomly selected in 9 primary schools (government and private) from May to June 2016. Visual acuity was measured at 6 m using Snellen's chart, and children with an acuity of less than 6/18 in the better eye underwent refraction and a detailed eye examination. A cause of their impairment was determined. Data were recorded using pretested tools. . Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 16 was used to enter and analyze the data using 95% confidence intervals. Results The prevalence of visual impairment was 1.8%. Refractive errors (nearly 70%) followed by strabismus and cataract, each contributing 4.3%, were the most frequent causes of visual impairment in the study population. Majority (87%) of the children had moderate degree of vision impairment, and 10–15-year age groups are the more affected ones. Children of age fifteen and above showed statistically significant association with visual impairment (p=0.005). Conclusion The magnitude of visual impairment in primary school children in the study area is significant. School screening programme is recommended to minimize the burden of visual impairment in the study area.
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Asare AK, Akuffo KO, Kumah DB, Agyei-Manu E, Darko CK, Addo EK. Prevalence and pattern of amblyopia in a rural hospital in Ghana. Strabismus 2020; 28:119-127. [PMID: 32627626 DOI: 10.1080/09273972.2020.1779319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Amblyopia is a developmental ocular disease of childhood-onset which may lead to persistent sequelae into adulthood. Early detection and management of amblyopia usually result in an improved visual outcome. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of amblyopia in a rural hospital in Ghana. Clinical records of patients seen (from January 2014 to December 2018) at Westphalian Medical Center, Oyoko, Ashanti Region, Ghana, were reviewed retrospectively. Unilateral amblyopia was defined as a two-line interocular difference or more in visual acuity. Bilateral amblyopia was defined as best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of Snellen 6/12 or worse in both eyes, with evidence of bilateral ametropia or obstruction of the visual pathway. Following a review of 12,602 patient records, 258 cases of amblyopia were identified. The mean (±SD) presenting age of amblyopic patients was 24.3 ± 16.1 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.1. The period prevalence of amblyopia was 2.04%. The period prevalence of unilateral and bilateral amblyopia was 1.38% and 0.66%, respectively. The most prevalent form of amblyopia was refractive with a cumulative prevalence of 1.42%. Strabismic and stimulus deprivation amblyopia accounted for 0.36% and 0.21% of all amblyopic cases, respectively. A major cause of amblyopia in this population was refractive error, hence the use of spectacle correction for its initial management. Repeated assessment after an appropriate period of refractive adaptation would elucidate the proportion of amblyopias needing additional treatment modalities. Vision screening for early detection of amblyopia in childhood with accessible and effective management of amblyopia (including refractive correction and occlusion treatment) is necessary to reduce the impact of amblyopia in Ghana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akosua Kesewah Asare
- Department of Optometry and Visual Science, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology , Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Kwadwo Owusu Akuffo
- Department of Optometry and Visual Science, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology , Kumasi, Ghana
| | - David Ben Kumah
- Department of Optometry and Visual Science, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology , Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Eldad Agyei-Manu
- Department of Optometry and Visual Science, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology , Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Christine Karikari Darko
- Department of Optometry and Visual Science, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology , Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Emmanuel Kofi Addo
- Department of Optometry and Visual Science, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology , Kumasi, Ghana
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Anh TT, Dat DT, Minh HV. Identifying costs: The case of refractive error, strabismus, and ptosis amongst children in Vietnam. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/20479700.2020.1762051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tran Tuan Anh
- Center for Population Health Sciences (CPHS), Hanoi University of Public Health, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | | | - Hoang Van Minh
- Center for Population Health Sciences (CPHS), Hanoi University of Public Health, Hanoi, Vietnam
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Ekpenyong BN, Naidoo K, Ndep A, Akpan M, Ekanem E. Prevalence and determinants of visual impairment amongst school-aged children in Southern Nigeria. AFRICAN VISION AND EYE HEALTH 2020. [DOI: 10.4102/aveh.v79i1.534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
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Hung HD, Chinh DD, Tan PV, Duong NV, Anh NQ, Le NH, Tuan HX, Anh NT, Duong NTT, Kien VD. The Prevalence of Myopia and Factors Associated with It Among Secondary School Children in Rural Vietnam. Clin Ophthalmol 2020; 14:1079-1090. [PMID: 32368006 PMCID: PMC7183771 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s251218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To assess the prevalence of myopia and associated factors among secondary school children in a rural area of Vietnam.
Methods A school-based cross-sectional study of children in grades six to nine was conducted in four secondary schools in Hoang Mai town, Nghe An Province, Vietnam, during December 2018 and January 2019. The status of myopia was defined as a spherical equivalent objective refractive error of −0.50 D or worse in either eye. A case–control study was conducted to explore factors associated with myopia, where children with myopia were considered to be cases, and children without myopia were considered to be controls. Factors associated with myopia were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results The prevalence of myopia among secondary school children was 14.2% (95% CI: 12.7–15.7%) and tended to increase with grade, from 10.5% in grade six to 17.7% in grade nine. Myopia prevalence in girls was significantly higher than in boys. Factors associated with myopia were a mother with a college/university education (OR = 2.5, 95% CI = 1.2–5.3), parents who wore spectacles (OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.1–3.8), distance from near work (OR = 5.2, 95% CI = 3.5–7.9), and taking breaks after 30 minutes of continued reading (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.1–2.5). However, there were inverse associations with myopia for children belonging to the wealthiest households (OR = 0.2, 95% CI = 0.1–0.5) and time spent performing outdoor activities (OR = 0.6, 95% CI = 0.4–0.9). Conclusion Our study showed that the prevalence of myopia is considerable among secondary children in rural areas of Vietnam. The prevalence of myopia tended to increase among children in higher grade levels. Thus, appropriate interventions should be developed and conducted to deal with the issue of school-age myopia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ho Duc Hung
- Quynh Lap National Leprosy Dermatology Hospital, Hoang Mai Town, Nghe An, Vietnam
| | | | | | - Nguyen Viet Duong
- Quynh Lap National Leprosy Dermatology Hospital, Hoang Mai Town, Nghe An, Vietnam
| | | | | | - Ho Xuan Tuan
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, The University of Da Nang, Da Nang City, Vietnam
| | | | | | - Vu Duy Kien
- OnCare Medical Technology Company Limited, Hanoi, Vietnam
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Olatunji LK, Abdulsalam LB, Lukman A, Abduljaleel A, Yusuf I. Academic Implications of Uncorrected Refractive Error: A Study of Sokoto Metropolitan Schoolchildren. Niger Med J 2020; 60:295-299. [PMID: 32180659 PMCID: PMC7053270 DOI: 10.4103/nmj.nmj_89_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The Sustainable Development Goal 4 ensures that all children have an inclusive and equitable quality education. However, uncorrected refractive errors (UREs) have been a major cause of limitations with regard to quality education as vision plays a vital role in child learning and development. Thus, any problem affecting the child's vision could adversely affect the quality of the child's education. Aims: The aim of this research was to assess the quality of education of the children with URE in Sokoto metropolis, Sokoto State, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of schoolchildren in four randomly selected primary schools within Sokoto metropolis was carried out from July 2016 to October 2016 using the illiterate “E” chart and a pinhole. Relevant history and basic ocular examinations were done using a multistage sampling technique. Statistical Analysis: Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM SPSS) version 20. Results: A total of 113 students were surveyed; 56 (49.6%) males and 57 (50.4%) females. The age range was between 5 and 15 years, and the mean age was 10.89 ± 2.27 years. The prevalence of URE was 9.7%, with more than half of the students within the age group of 10–12 years (P = 0.018) and more common in females (54.5%) than males (45.5%) (P = 0.775). More than 90% of the respondents had never had a prior eye examination. The average mean academic performance of the pupils with URE (49.54% ±10.49%) was statistically significantly lower than those without refractive error (71.08 ± 10.09), mean difference = 21.55 (95% confidence interval, 15.18–27.92) (t = 6.70, P = 0.000). Conclusions: The negative implications of URE on the quality of education and other socioeconomic aspects of life underscore the need to increase efforts on its screening and increase other relevant interventional measures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ibrahim Yusuf
- Department of Ophthalmology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, Sokoto, Nigeria
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Woldeamanuel GG, Biru MD, Geta TG, Areru BA. Visual impairment and associated factors among primary school children in Gurage Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Afr Health Sci 2020; 20:533-542. [PMID: 33402942 PMCID: PMC7750087 DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v20i1.60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Visual impairment is one of the major public health problems worldwide, especially in developing countries. Objective To determine the prevalence of visual impairment and its associated factors among school children in Gurage Zone, Southern Ethiopia Methods A cross sectional study was conducted in eight primary schools of Gurage Zone. A total of 1064 pupils, of whom589 boys and 475 girls were selected using multistage sampling technique. Socio-demographic characteristics of the participants were collected using structured questionnaires and visual acuity was measured using Snellen's chart. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the associated factors of visual impairment. Results The prevalence of visual impairment was 5.2%. Factors significantly associated with visual impairment were age group of 13–18 years (AOR = 9.44, 95% CI = 3.83 – 23.25), school grade level of 5- 8 (AOR = 2.97, 95% CI = 1.23 – 7.17), rural residents (AOR = 2.59, 95% CI = 1.22 – 5.54), family's monthly income of less than 2000 Ethiopian Birr (AOR = 2.87, 95% CI = 1.08 – 7.61) and visually impaired parents (AOR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.06 – 4.39). Conclusion This study found that the prevalence of visual impairment was 5.2%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gashaw Garedew Woldeamanuel
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wolkite University, Wolkite, Ethiopia
| | - Mohammed Derese Biru
- Department of Statistics, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Wolkite University, Wolkite, Ethiopia
| | - Teshome Gensa Geta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wolkite University, Wolkite, Ethiopia
| | - Birhan Abera Areru
- Department of Statistics, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Wolkite University, Wolkite, Ethiopia
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Atowa UC, Wajuihian SO, Munsamy AJ. Associations between near work, outdoor activity, parental myopia and myopia among school children in Aba, Nigeria. Int J Ophthalmol 2020; 13:309-316. [PMID: 32090042 PMCID: PMC7013793 DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2020.02.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To assess the influence of near work, time outdoor and parental myopia on the prevalence of myopia in school children in Aba, Nigeria. METHODS Primary and secondary school children aged between 8 and 15y were randomly recruited from 12 schools in Aba. Information on family history, near work and outdoor activity was obtained using myopia risk factor questionnaire. Cycloplegic refraction was performed using autorefraction technique. Myopia was defined as spherical equivalent refraction (SER) ≤-0.50 D in the poorer eye. Data were analysed for 1197 (male: 538 and female: 659) children with full relevant data. RESULTS Risk of developing myopia was positively associated with parental myopia [odds ratio (OR): 6.80; 95%CI, 2.76-16.74; P<0.01) for one myopic parent and (OR: 9.47; 95%CI, 3.88-23.13; P<0.01) for two myopic parents, longer daily reading hour (OR: 1.21; 95%CI, 1.03-1.42; P=0.02) and less time outdoors (OR: 0.8; 95%CI, 0.74-0.87; P<0.01). CONCLUSION Parental history of myopia is the most important risk factor associated with myopia. In addition, children with both parents being myopic has increased odds of developing myopia than those with one myopic parent. It is recommended therefore, that children spend more time outdoors as this could reduce the prevalence and progression of myopia.
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A Serial Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Prevalence, Risk Factors and Geographic Variations of Reduced Visual Acuity in Primary and Secondary Students from 2000 to 2017 in Hong Kong. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17031023. [PMID: 32041191 PMCID: PMC7036919 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17031023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background: We would like to investigate the prevalence trend, potential risk factors and geographic features of reduced visual acuity (VA) in primary and secondary schoolchildren of Hong Kong. Methods: This was a serial cross-sectional study using historical data of schoolchildren aged 6 to 15 years from the annual health checks conducted at Student Health Service Centers across Hong Kong, for the school years of 2000/2001 to 2016/2017. Results: The prevalence of reduced VA increased from 49.23% (95% CI, 48.99-49.47) in 2000/2001 to 54.34% (95% CI, 54.10-54.58) in 2011/2012 but decreased to 51.42% (95% CI, 51.17-51.66) in 2016/2017. Girls were less susceptible than boys at age 6-7 (and in grade primary 1-2), but more susceptible at older ages. The prevalence in junior grades increased while the risk effect of grade reduced over the past 17 years. Geographic variation on the risk for reduced VA existed and spatial autocorrelation was positive. The difference in prevalence of reduced VA between Hong Kong and mainland China has decreased in recent years. Cross-border students living in mainland China were associated with a lower risk for reduced VA. Conclusions: Further study was proposed to investigate the environmental association between students living in and outside Hong Kong with the prevalence of reduced VA. Multi-level research should also be conducted to investigate the influence of compositional and contextual factors on the prevalence of reduced VA.
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Lanca C, Saw S. The association between digital screen time and myopia: A systematic review. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2020; 40:216-229. [DOI: 10.1111/opo.12657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Carla Lanca
- Singapore Eye Research Institute Singapore CitySingapore
| | - Seang‐Mei Saw
- Singapore Eye Research Institute Singapore CitySingapore
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health National University of Singapore Singapore City Singapore
- Duke‐NUS Medical School Singapore City Singapore
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Fu Z, Hong H, Su Z, Lou B, Pan CW, Liu H. Global prevalence of amblyopia and disease burden projections through 2040: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Ophthalmol 2019; 104:1164-1170. [DOI: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2019-314759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PurposeAmblyopia is a leading cause of vision impairment among children and young adults. Individual studies showed significant variations in the prevalence of amblyopia in different regions and age groups. This study is to estimate the global prevalence of amblyopia by pooling its prevalence from the previous studies and to project the number of people affected through 2040.MethodsWe performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence of amblyopia using data published before 20 October 2018. We estimated the prevalence rate of amblyopia and its 95% CI globally and by subgroups (eg, region and age). The prevalence data were applied to United Nations World Population Prospects to derive the projected number with amblyopia through 2040.ResultsA meta-analysis of 60 studies (1 859 327 subjects) showed that the pooled prevalence rate of amblyopia was 1.44% (95% CI 1.17% to 1.78%). Prevalences in Europe (2.90%) and North America (2.41%) were higher than in Asia (1.09%) and Africa (0.72%). The highest prevalence was found in subjects over 20 years old (3.29%). There was no difference in the prevalence between genders. We estimated 99.2 (95% CI 71.7 to 146.1) million people with amblyopia in 2019 worldwide, increasing to 175.2 (95% CI 81.3 to 307.8) million by 2030 and 221.9 (95% CI 83.7 to 429.2) million by 2040.ConclusionsThe amblyopia is becoming a significant vision problem worldwide. It is of great importance to design and implement amblyopia screening, treatment and related public health strategies.
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Ebri AE, Govender P, Naidoo KS. Prevalence of vision impairment and refractive error in school learners in Calabar, Nigeria. AFRICAN VISION AND EYE HEALTH 2019. [DOI: 10.4102/aveh.v78i1.487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Uncorrected refractive error could negatively affect learning and academic performance, there is still inadequate information for planning school health.Aim: To determine the proportion of students with vision impairment because of uncorrected refractive error, and prevalent types among learners aged 10–18 years.Setting: The study site included two of 18 local government areas of the Cross River State in Nigeria, with 23 public and mission secondary schools.Methods: A two-stage cluster sampling method was used to enrol 4241 study participants from eight selected secondary schools.Results: The prevalence of vision impairment (presenting visual acuity worse than 6/12) was 7.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.17% – 8.6%). The prevalence of vision impairment because of refractive error was 7.2% (95% CI: 6.41% – 7.96%) in the better eye. Astigmatism was the predominant type of refractive error with a prevalence of 4.2% (95% CI: 3.6% – 4.8%), followed by myopia (1.72%; 95% CI: 1.3% – 2.1%) and hyperopia (1.3%; 95% CI: 0.9% – 1.6%). There were statistically significant differences in proportions of female participants who presented with myopic astigmatism (30.8%; p 0.012). Statistically significant difference in proportions was found in older (33.3%; p 0.0004) and male (29.6%; p 0.0003) participants who presented with hyperopic astigmatism compared to younger and female participants, respectively. Myopia accounted for 4.8% (95% CI: 4.2% – 5.5%) and was significantly higher in female participants (5.5%; p 0.033).Conclusion: Refractive error was the major cause of vision impairment and myopic astigmatism was the predominant type of refractive error among secondary school children in Calabar.
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Letter to the Editor: Prevalence of Myopia and Associated Risk Factors in Schoolchildren in North India. Optom Vis Sci 2019; 96:536. [DOI: 10.1097/opx.0000000000001402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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Atowa UC, Hansraj R, Wajuihian SO. Visual problems: a review of prevalence studies on visual impairment in school-age children. Int J Ophthalmol 2019; 12:1037-1043. [PMID: 31236365 DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2019.06.25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Childhood visual impairment (VI) have a significant impact on the educational achievement, career choices and social life of affected individual, and in children, is mainly due to either preventable or treatable causes. Reliable data on the prevalence and causes of VI in children will guide the development of a systematic vision screening program for its early detection and successful treatment of possible causes. The purpose of this literature review is to summarize the available data on prevalence and causes of VI in school-age children from various regions globally. A discussion on the major findings highlighting the definition criteria, classifications and limitations for further studies is also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uchenna C Atowa
- Discipline of Optometry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Rekha Hansraj
- Discipline of Optometry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Samuel O Wajuihian
- Discipline of Optometry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa
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