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The Shiraz Pediatric Eye Study; a Population Based Survey of School Age Children: Rationale, Design and Baseline
Mohammad Reza Talebnejad1, Mohammad Hossein Nowroozzadeh1, Hamideh Mahdaviazad1,2
1Poostchi Ophthalmology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Insights
The Shiraz Pediatric Eye Study surveyed 2001 schoolchildren in Iran, assessing visual health and risk factors. Findings will guide blindness prevention programs for children.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Population-based studies are crucial for understanding childhood visual health.
- Prevalence data on pediatric visual impairments are essential for targeted interventions.
- The Shiraz Pediatric Eye Study addresses a need for local epidemiological data in Iran.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the design and methods of the Shiraz Pediatric Eye Study.
- To establish baseline characteristics of schoolchildren in Shiraz, Iran.
- To lay the groundwork for estimating visual impairment prevalence and risk factors.
Main Methods:
- A population-based survey of 2001 schoolchildren aged 6-12 years in Shiraz, Iran (2015-2016).
- Stratified random sampling of 2400 participants, with 83.3% participation rate.
- Comprehensive ocular evaluations including visual acuity, refraction, and specialized tests; socioeconomic data collected.
Main Results:
- The study included 2001 children (mean age 9.1 ± 1.6 years), with 59.7% girls.
- Socioeconomic data indicated most parents had a diploma or less (63.5%), with 2.2% illiterate.
- Baseline characteristics provide a foundation for analyzing visual impairment prevalence.
Conclusions:
- The study aims to provide accurate prevalence estimates of visual impairments in Shiraz.
- It will identify key determinants and risk factors associated with childhood vision problems.
- Findings are expected to inform and target blindness prevention programs effectively.
Purpose:
To describe the rationale, study design, methodology, and baseline characteristics of the Shiraz Pediatric Eye Study, a population-based survey of schoolchildren in Shiraz, Iran.
Methods:
This population-based study included schoolchildren aged 6-12 years from all four educational districts of Shiraz who were recruited in years 2015-2016. Stratified random sampling was used to select 2400 participants from all districts. Data were recorded from a detailed interview and ocular evaluation of each eligible student. The eye examination comprised uncorrected and best corrected visual acuity measurement, refraction, external eye examination (including specific strabismus and lid evaluation tests), slit lamp biomicroscopy, intraocular pressure measurement, the Ishihara color vision test, and stereoacuity. Exophthalmometry, optical biometry, and optical coherence tomography were performed for a randomly selected subset of children. General characteristics and socioeconomic variables were also recorded to assess risk factors.
Results:
From a total of 2400 selected students, 2001 (83.3%) participated in the study. The mean age of the students was 9.1 ± 1.6 years, and 59.7% were girls. Most children had at least one parent with a diploma or less than diploma (63.5%), and 2.2% had illiterate parents.
Conclusion:
This study is expected to provide accurate estimates of the prevalence of visual impairments and their related determinants in Shiraz. In addition, it will identify children who should be targeted by blindness prevention programs.
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