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Sampling and measurement methods for a study of childhood refractive error in a UK population
L O'Donoghue1, K J Saunders, J F McClelland
1School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Cromore Road, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UK. l.odonoghue@ulster.ac.uk
Insights
This study provides crucial data on childhood refractive errors in the UK. It establishes a baseline for prevalence, aiding future research and interventions for children's vision.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Optometry
- Public Health
Background:
- Limited data exists on the prevalence of childhood refractive errors in the United Kingdom.
- The Northern Ireland Childhood Errors of Refraction study is a key population-based survey.
- Utilizes random cluster sampling and cycloplegic autorefraction for accurate measurement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the prevalence of refractive errors in children aged 6-7 and 12-13 years in Northern Ireland.
- To establish a baseline for childhood refractive error prevalence in the UK.
- To facilitate comparisons with international population-based refractive data.
Main Methods:
- Stratified random sampling of primary and post-primary schools across Northern Ireland.
- Recruitment of children aged 6-7 and 12-13 years.
- Comprehensive eye assessments including visual acuity, oculomotor balance, ocular biometry, and cycloplegic autorefraction; questionnaires for risk factors.
Main Results:
- High participation rates: 57% for 6-7 year olds (n=399) and 60% for 12-13 year olds (n=669).
- Participant demographics (gender, ethnicity, schooling type) reflect the Northern Ireland population.
- School participation was not significantly influenced by school size, location (urban/rural), or socioeconomic status.
Conclusions:
- The study's robust design, sample size, and methodology ensure reliable prevalence measures.
- Findings provide essential data for understanding childhood vision health in the UK.
- Enables future epidemiological studies and comparisons of refractive error data.
Background:
There is a paucity of data describing the prevalence of childhood refractive error in the United Kingdom. The Northern Ireland Childhood Errors of Refraction study, along with its sister study the Aston Eye Study, are the first population-based surveys of children using both random cluster sampling and cycloplegic autorefraction to quantify levels of refractive error in the United Kingdom.
Methods:
Children aged 6-7 years and 12-13 years were recruited from a stratified random sample of primary and post-primary schools, representative of the population of Northern Ireland as a whole. Measurements included assessment of visual acuity, oculomotor balance, ocular biometry and cycloplegic binocular open-field autorefraction. Questionnaires were used to identify putative risk factors for refractive error.
Results:
399 (57%) of 6-7 years and 669 (60%) of 12-13 years participated. School participation rates did not vary statistically significantly with the size of the school, whether the school is urban or rural, or whether it is in a deprived/non-deprived area. The gender balance, ethnicity and type of schooling of participants are reflective of the Northern Ireland population.
Conclusions:
The study design, sample size and methodology will ensure accurate measures of the prevalence of refractive errors in the target population and will facilitate comparisons with other population-based refractive data.
