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Vision screening of preschool children in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Wedad M Bardisi1, Bakr M Bin Sadiq
1Department of Family Medicine, Amir Abdulmajeed Primary Care, Jeddah 21497, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. wedad@awalnet.net.sa
Insights
This study found a 1.3% prevalence of amblyopia (lazy eye) in Saudi preschoolers. Vision screening is crucial for early detection of amblyopia and refractive errors in children.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Optometry
- Public Health
Background:
- Amblyopia and refractive errors are significant causes of visual impairment in children.
- Early detection and intervention are critical for effective management of these conditions.
- Understanding the prevalence and associated factors in specific populations is essential for targeted public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of amblyopia (lazy eye) and other refractive errors in preschool children in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
- To identify potential risk factors associated with these visual disorders.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of vision screening programs in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted in governmental kindergartens in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
- Vision screening was performed, with children failing the screening referred for a comprehensive ophthalmological examination.
- Prevalence rates were calculated using 95% confidence intervals.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of amblyopia was 1.3% (95% CI: 0.4-2.3).
- Refractive errors were diagnosed in 69% of referred children, followed by strabismus (6%) and Duane syndrome (3%).
- No significant correlation was found between amblyopia and previously identified risk factors.
Conclusions:
- Vision screening is a highly sensitive, acceptable, and cost-effective component of periodic health examinations for preschool children.
- Regular vision screening facilitates early diagnosis of amblyopia and refractive errors.
- Implementing routine screening programs can significantly improve visual health outcomes in pediatric populations.
Objective:
To determine the prevalence of Amblyopia and other refractive errors and to identify the factors associated with these disorders.
Methods:
The study was carried out in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in 1999, on children enrolled in governmental kindergartens during the academic year 1419-1420H. Children were screened for Amblyopia, any child who failed to pass the screening examination, was referred to the ophthalmologist for complete examination. A 95% confidence interval was used to describe the prevalence of eye disorders.
Results:
The number of children referred to the ophthalmologists was 102. Out of this figure, 70% of children kept their appointment. Seventy-two children had decreased visual acuity of 20/30 or worse. The final diagnoses were as follows: Amblyopia in 8 cases, which, give a prevalence rate of 1.3% (95% confidence intervals: 0.4-2.3); refractive errors in 50 cases (69%); strabismus in 4 cases (6%), duane syndrome in 2 cases (3%); and 8 children (11%) were completely normal. The positive predictive value of visual screening examination was 89%. We found no significant correlation between Amblyopia and the risk factors mentioned in the literature.
Conclusion:
Vision screening is very important and recommended to be carried out as part of periodic health examination for pre school children. It is cost effective, highly sensitive, acceptable and easy to be administered.