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Published on: September 27, 2024
Prevalence of amblyopia and its association with refraction in Chinese preschool children aged 36-48 months
Dan Huang1, Xuejuan Chen1, Hui Zhu1
1Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
Insights
The prevalence of amblyopia in Chinese preschoolers aged 3-4 years is 1.47%. Significant refractive errors like hyperopia and astigmatism are major risk factors for developing amblyopia in children.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Public Health
Background:
- Amblyopia, or 'lazy eye,' is a common cause of visual impairment in childhood.
- Early detection and intervention are crucial for effective treatment outcomes.
- Understanding the prevalence and risk factors in specific populations is essential for targeted public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of amblyopia in Chinese preschool children aged 36-48 months.
- To investigate the association between amblyopia and refractive errors in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional, population-based study (Yuhuatai Pediatric Eye Disease Study) was conducted in Nanjing, China, in 2015.
- Visual acuity was measured in 1695 eligible children aged 36-48 months.
- Statistical analysis, including multivariate analysis, was used to assess associations.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of manifested amblyopia was 1.47% (25 out of 1695 children).
- Significant refractive errors, including hyperopia (≥+2.00 D), astigmatism (≥2.00 D), and anisometropia (≥2.00 D), were strongly associated with amblyopia.
- Strabismus was present in 24% of children with amblyopia.
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of amblyopia in 3-4-year-old children in Eastern China is 1.47%.
- Refractive errors are identified as a major risk factor for amblyopia in preschool-aged children.
- Findings underscore the importance of screening for refractive errors in young children to prevent amblyopia.
Purpose:
To determine the prevalence of amblyopia and its association with refraction in Chinese preschool children.
Methods:
The Yuhuatai Pediatric Eye Disease Study, a cross-sectional, population-based study, was conducted in children aged 36-48 months in Yuhuatai District, Nanjing, China, in 2015. Visual acuity was measured in 1695 eligible children.
Results:
Of the 1695 subjects, manifested amblyopia was detected in 25 children (1.47%, 95% CI 0.90% to 2.05%), including 11 and 14 with bilateral and unilateral amblyopia, respectively. Amblyopia prevalence did not differ by gender (p=0.77). Significant refractive errors were found in 22 (88.0%) of children with amblyopia, and strabismus was found in 6 (24.0%) children with amblyopia. In multivariate analysis, amblyopia was significantly associated with hyperopia (≥+2.00 dioptres (D); OR 8.81, 95% CI 3.27 to 23.69, p<0.0001), astigmatism (≥2.00 D; OR 17.90, 95% CI 6.78 to 47.21, p<0.0001) and anisometropia (≥2.00 D; OR 5.87, 95% CI 1.52 to 22.77, p<0.05).
Conclusions:
The prevalence of amblyopia in children 36-48 months old in Eastern China was 1.47%. The refractive error is a major risk factor for amblyopia.
