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Updated: Jul 20, 2026
A Method to Quantify Visual Information Processing in Children Using Eye Tracking
Published on: July 9, 2016
Prevalence and correlates of children's diagnosed eye and vision conditions
Michael L Ganz1, Ziming Xuan, David G Hunter
1Abt Associates Inc., Lexington, Massachusetts, USA. mganz@hsph.harvard.edu
Insights
Approximately 6.8% of US children under 18 have diagnosed eye conditions, with disparities noted. Underprivileged children may be underdiagnosed, risking future vision problems.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Limited data exists on the prevalence and distribution of pediatric eye and vision conditions.
- Understanding these disparities is crucial for early intervention and equitable care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of diagnosed eye and vision conditions in US children under 18.
- To identify potential disparities in the distribution of these conditions.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a large, nationally representative sample of US households (n=48,304) from 1996-2001.
- Utilized self-reported data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys (MEPS).
- Employed logistic regression analyses adjusted for complex survey design to assess associations with child/family characteristics.
Main Results:
- An average of 6.8% of children under 18 had a diagnosed eye condition, with prevalence decreasing from 8.6% in 1996 to 5.8% in 2001.
- Refractive disorders, potentially blinding conditions, trauma, and other unspecified disorders were most common (excluding conjunctivitis).
- Higher diagnosis rates were observed in White children, those with more educated mothers, and those from higher-income families. Conversely, Hispanic children, those in excellent health, and uninsured children reported lower diagnosis rates.
Conclusions:
- The study demonstrates a method using MEPS data to identify diagnosed pediatric eye conditions.
- Findings suggest potential underdiagnosis and undertreatment among underprivileged children, increasing their risk for future complications.
- Highlights the need for further research into disparities and targeted interventions for at-risk populations.
Purpose:
Little is known about the distribution of eye and vision conditions among children and about possible disparities in the distribution of these conditions. The purpose of this report is to describe the prevalence of diagnosed eye and vision conditions among children younger than 18 years in the United States.
Design:
Repeated population-based cross-sectional study.
Participants:
Forty-eight thousand three hundred four members of randomly selected households in the U.S. who were younger than 18 years in the years 1996 through 2001 were analyzed.
Methods:
The prevalence of children with diagnosed eye and vision conditions was estimated using self-reported information from the nationally representative Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys (MEPS) for 1996 through 2001. Descriptive statistics are presented, and the associations between the likelihood of diagnosed eye and vision conditions and child and family characteristics were assessed using logistic regression analyses adjusted for the complex survey design of MEPS.
Main Outcome Measures:
Prevalence of diagnosed eye and vision conditions and measures of the association between diagnosed eye and vision conditions and child and family characteristics.
Results:
On average, approximately 6.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.4%-7.2%) of children < 18 years in the U.S. have a diagnosed eye and vision condition, ranging from 8.6% (95% CI, 7.8%-9.5%) in 1996 to 5.8% (95% CI, 5.2%-6.4%) in 2001. Excluding conjunctivitis, the 4 most common conditions were refractive disorders, potentially blinding disorders, trauma or injury, and other disorders not elsewhere classified. White children, children with more educated mothers, and children living in higher income families were more likely to have a diagnosed eye and vision condition. Hispanic children, children in very good or excellent health, and uninsured children were less likely to have any self-reported diagnosed eye and vision condition.
Conclusions:
This article presents a method for using MEPS to identify children younger than 18 years with eye and vision conditions. Although this method does not identify all children with eye and vision conditions, it does identify children with diagnosed eye and vision conditions. Results provide some evidence that underprivileged children may be underdiagnosed, undertreated, or both, placing them at risk for future problems.
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