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Prevalence of amblyopia and other vision disorders in young Newfoundland and Labrador children
James R Drover1, Patrick G Kean, Mary L Courage
1Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, N.L., Canada. jdrover@retinafoundation.org
Insights
A vision screening in Newfoundland and Labrador found 14.0% of children had significant eye and vision disorders, including hyperopia and amblyopia. Early screening is recommended for these treatable conditions in pediatric populations.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Optometry
- Public Health
Background:
- Limited data exists on pediatric eye and vision disorders in Canada, specifically Newfoundland and Labrador.
- This study addresses the data gap by estimating prevalence in a pediatric population within the St. John's metropolitan region.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the prevalence of various eye and vision disorders among young children in Newfoundland and Labrador.
- To identify the most common visual dysfunctions in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- Vision screening conducted in daycare settings for 946 children (mean age 4.2 years).
- Utilized advanced optics and functional vision tests.
- Referrals for complete eye examinations by optometrists for children with suspected disorders.
Main Results:
- An estimated 14.0% of children exhibited significant vision disorders.
- Prevalent conditions included hyperopia (4.8%), amblyopia (4.7%), and strabismus (4.3%).
- Myopia (1.1%) and anisometropia (1.4%) were less common; rates align with other developed nations.
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of visual dysfunction in this cohort is not abnormally high.
- A significant percentage (14.0%) of children have treatable vision disorders.
- Early vision screening is crucial for pediatric populations in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Background:
Currently, there is a lack of adequate data on pediatric eye and vision disorders in Canada, particularly in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. In the present study, we estimate the prevalence of eye and vision disorders among young children who participated in a vision screening program in the St. John's, Newfoundland, metropolitan region.
Methods:
In daycare settings, 946 children (mean age 4.2 years) were screened with the latest tests of optics and functional vision. Those with suspected vision disorders were referred to an optometrist for a complete eye examination. From the results of these examinations, prevalence rates were estimated for several categories of vision disorders.
Results:
Overall, we estimate that 14.0% of the children possessed significant vision disorders, the most prevalent of which were hyperopia, amblyopia, and strabismus (4.8%, 4.7%, and 4.3%, respectively). Myopia and anisometropia, on the other hand, were relatively rare (1.1% and 1.4%, respectively). In general, prevalence estimates are within the range of existing estimates from other developed nations.
Interpretation:
Although the prevalence rates reported here must be interpreted cautiously because of methodological limitations, it appears that children in the present study do not possess an abnormally high prevalence of visual dysfunction. Nevertheless, because an estimated 14.0% of children tested had treatable vision disorders, early screening is clearly warranted in Newfoundland and Labrador.
