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Prevalence of eye disorders in young children with eyestrain complaints
Jenny M Ip1, Dana Robaei, Elena Rochtchina
1University of Sydney, Department of Ophthalmology (Centre for Vision Research, Westmead Hospital), Westmead Millennium Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Insights
Eyestrain symptoms do not reliably indicate eye conditions in young children. Most children with vision problems like refractive errors or strabismus reported no eyestrain.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Eye Health
Background:
- Eyestrain is a common complaint among children.
- Its predictive value for underlying eye conditions in early childhood is not well established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if eyestrain symptoms predict the presence of eye conditions in 6-year-old children.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional, population-based study involving 1740 children.
- Parental questionnaires assessed eyestrain symptoms.
- Comprehensive eye examinations were performed.
Main Results:
- 15.2% of children reported eyestrain symptoms.
- Most children with refractive errors (78.7%), amblyopia (68%), and strabismus (58%) did not report eyestrain.
- Conversely, most children reporting eyestrain had normal eye examinations.
Conclusions:
- Eyestrain is an unreliable indicator of significant eye conditions in young children.
- A lack of eyestrain does not rule out conditions like refractive errors, amblyopia, or strabismus.
Purpose:
To determine whether eyestrain symptoms predict eye conditions in 6-year-old children.
Design:
Cross-sectional population-based study.
Methods:
Reports of eyestrain symptoms were sought in parental questionnaires; 1740 children (79% response) underwent eye examinations (visual acuity, cover testing, cycloplegic autorefraction, and fundus examination).
Results:
Eyestrain information was available for 1448 children; 220 (15.2%) reported eyestrain symptoms, including 60 (3.4%) who reported near work-associated headaches. Most children (82.3%) had a normal eye examination, while refractive errors, amblyopia, and strabismus were found in 15.0%, 3.6%, and 7.3%, respectively. Corresponding rates for children without eyestrain were 9.9%, 1.4%, and 1.8%, respectively. Moreover, 78.7% of children with refractive errors, 68% with amblyopia, and 58% with strabismus reported no eyestrain.
Conclusions:
Most children complaining of eyestrain had a normal eye examination; whereas most children with refractive error, amblyopia, or strabismus were free of eyestrain, making this complaint a poor marker of eye conditions in young children.
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