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Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology

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01-01-2014 | Pediatrics

Prevalence, causes and associations of amblyopia in year 1 students in Central China

The Anyang childhood eye study (ACES)

Authors: Jing Fu, Shi Ming Li, Si Yuan Li, Jin Ling Li, He Li, Bi Dan Zhu, Zhou Yang, Lei Li, Ning Li Wang

Published in: Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology | Issue 1/2014

Abstract

Background

Earlier diagnosis and treatment of amblyopia are associated with improved visual outcomes. This study reports the prevalence of amblyopia and associated factors in year 1 primary school students in central China.

Methods

The school-based, cross-sectional study involved 3,112 year 1 primary school students . All the participants underwent a comprehensive eye examinations including cycloplegic refraction, cover test and ocular movement examinations. The unaided and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was recorded. Unilateral amblyopia was defined as a 2-line interocular difference with BCVA ≤ 20/32 (≥ logMar 0.2) in the worse eye and with coexisting anisometropia (≥ 1.00 D SE for hyperopia, ≥ 3.00 D SE for myopia, or ≥ 1.50 D for astigmatism), strabismus or past or present visual axis obstruction. Bilateral amblyopia was defined as BCVA in both eyes<20/40 (> logMar 0.3), with coexisting hyperopia ≥ 4 D SE, myopia ≤ −6 D SE, or astigmatism ≥ 2.5 D, or past or present visual axis obstruction.

Results

Out of the 3,112 eligible students, 2,893 (93.0 %) students completed the examinations. The average age of the students was 7.1 ± 0.4 (mean ± standard deviation SD) years old. The prevalence of amblyopia was 1.0 % (95 % confidence interval [CI], 0.6 %–1.3 %) with no difference between the sexes (P = 0.88). Of the 27 amblyopic students, unilateral amblyopia was found in 18 (66.7 %) students, and bilateral amblyopia in 9 (33.3 %) students. Of 18 unilateral amblyopia, 13 were anisometropic amblyopia, 4 were strabismus amblyopia, 1 was mixed amblyopia. Of 9 bilateral amblyopia, 7 were isoametropic amblyopia, 2 were stimulus deprivation. The mean corrected VA of the amblyopic eyes was 30.50 logMAR letters (Snellen VA equivalent 4/12.6), and the range was 5 to 45 logMAR letters (Snellen VA equivalent 4/40-4/6.3). Most amblyopic eyes (38.9 %) were significantly hyperopic (spherical equivalent ≥ +3.00 D); 25.0 % were myopic. In addition, 58 (2.1 %) students had a previous amblyopia history of amblyopia that was not corroborated in this study.

Conclusions

The study shows a relatively low prevalence of amblyopia (1.0 %) in year 1 students in central China. Amblyopia is usually caused by abnormal refractive error.

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Title: Prevalence, causes and associations of amblyopia in year 1 students in Central China
The Anyang childhood eye study (ACES)
Authors: Jing Fu
Shi Ming Li
Si Yuan Li
Jin Ling Li
He Li
Bi Dan Zhu
Zhou Yang
Lei Li
Ning Li Wang
Publication date: 01-01-2014
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology / Issue 1/2014
Print ISSN: 0721-832X
Electronic ISSN: 1435-702X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-013-2451-z

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Prevalence, causes and associations of amblyopia in year 1 students in Central China

The Anyang childhood eye study (ACES)

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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