[Schoolchildren's visual acuity in the dynamics of learning]

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Public Health

Context:

• A large-scale screening of visual acuity was conducted among 93,772 schoolchildren (ages 7-17) in the Rostov Region, Russian Federation.
• The study utilized computer optometry to assess visual acuity in a diverse cohort, including 48,621 girls and 45,151 boys from 150 schools.

Purpose:

• To investigate trends in visual acuity among schoolchildren across different age groups and sexes.
• To identify potential correlations between visual acuity decline and factors such as age, sex, and geographic location (rural vs. urban).

Summary:

• The study revealed a consistent increase in low visual acuity (0.2 and below) from age 7 to 17 in both sexes.
• Visual acuity decline was observed earlier in girls (14%) compared to boys (8%), with a 3% decline noted in 7-8-year-olds.
• A significant dependence of visual acuity on sex and whether children resided in rural areas or large cities was established.

Impact:

• Findings underscore the need for targeted vision screening programs for children, particularly focusing on early detection in girls.
• Results provide crucial data for public health initiatives aimed at mitigating vision impairment in school-aged populations.
• The study emphasizes the influence of environmental and demographic factors on children's visual health, informing regional health policies.