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Related Experiment Videos

Refractive error and ethnicity in children.

Robert N Kleinstein1, Lisa A Jones, Sandral Hullett

  • 1University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Optometry, Birmingham, AL, USA.

Archives of Ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)
|August 13, 2003
PubMed
Summary

Refractive error prevalence varies significantly across ethnicities in children aged 5-17. Asian and Hispanic children show higher myopia rates, while white children exhibit higher hyperopia rates. Astigmatism is also more common in Asian and Hispanic children.

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Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Pediatric Ophthalmology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Refractive errors, including myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, are common visual impairments in children.
  • Understanding the prevalence and ethnic variations of refractive errors is crucial for early detection and intervention strategies.
  • Ocular development and refractive status can differ significantly across diverse pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the baseline prevalence of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism in a diverse pediatric population.
  • To investigate ethnic differences in the prevalence of refractive errors among children.
  • To establish normative data for refractive error in school-aged children across different ethnic groups.

Main Methods:

  • A multicenter, longitudinal, observational study involving 2523 children aged 5-17 years from four distinct ethnic groups.

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  • Cycloplegic autorefraction was used to define myopia (≥ -0.75 D), hyperopia (≥ +1.25 D), and astigmatism (≥ 1.00 D difference).
  • Statistical analyses, including chi-squared tests and polychotomous logistic regression, were employed to assess prevalence and ethnic variations, controlling for age and sex.

    • Main Results:

    • Overall prevalence: 9.2% myopia, 12.8% hyperopia, 28.4% astigmatism.
    • Significant ethnic differences were observed for all refractive errors (P<.001).
    • Asians had the highest myopia (18.5%) and astigmatism (33.6%) prevalence; Whites had the highest hyperopia (19.3%) prevalence.

    Conclusions:

    • Significant ethnic disparities exist in the prevalence of refractive errors among children.
    • These differences persist even after accounting for age and sex, highlighting the role of ethnicity.
    • Findings underscore the need for targeted screening and management approaches based on ethnic background.