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Prevalence and pattern of amblyopia in a rural hospital in Ghana
Akosua Kesewah Asare1, Kwadwo Owusu Akuffo1, David Ben Kumah1
1Department of Optometry and Visual Science, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology , Kumasi, Ghana.
Insights
This study found that refractive error was the most common cause of amblyopia in a Ghanaian rural hospital, affecting 1.42% of patients. Early detection and refractive correction are crucial for managing this childhood vision disorder.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Public Health
Background:
- Amblyopia, a developmental vision disorder in childhood, can lead to lasting visual impairment.
- Early detection and intervention are key to improving visual outcomes in amblyopia.
- Understanding the prevalence and patterns of amblyopia is essential for targeted public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and pattern of amblyopia in a rural Ghanaian hospital.
- To identify the most common types of amblyopia in the studied population.
- To inform management strategies for amblyopia in Ghana.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of clinical records from January 2014 to December 2018.
- Analysis of 12,602 patient records from Westphalian Medical Center, Oyoko, Ghana.
- Classification of amblyopia based on visual acuity differences and etiological factors.
Main Results:
- A total of 258 amblyopia cases were identified, with a period prevalence of 2.04%.
- Refractive amblyopia was the most prevalent type (1.42%), followed by strabismic (0.36%) and stimulus deprivation (0.21%).
- The mean age of patients was 24.3 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.1.
Conclusions:
- Refractive error is a significant cause of amblyopia in this Ghanaian population.
- Spectacle correction is an important initial management strategy.
- Childhood vision screening and accessible treatment are vital to reduce the burden of amblyopia in Ghana.
Abstract:
Amblyopia is a developmental ocular disease of childhood-onset which may lead to persistent sequelae into adulthood. Early detection and management of amblyopia usually result in an improved visual outcome. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of amblyopia in a rural hospital in Ghana. Clinical records of patients seen (from January 2014 to December 2018) at Westphalian Medical Center, Oyoko, Ashanti Region, Ghana, were reviewed retrospectively. Unilateral amblyopia was defined as a two-line interocular difference or more in visual acuity. Bilateral amblyopia was defined as best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of Snellen 6/12 or worse in both eyes, with evidence of bilateral ametropia or obstruction of the visual pathway. Following a review of 12,602 patient records, 258 cases of amblyopia were identified. The mean (±SD) presenting age of amblyopic patients was 24.3 ± 16.1 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.1. The period prevalence of amblyopia was 2.04%. The period prevalence of unilateral and bilateral amblyopia was 1.38% and 0.66%, respectively. The most prevalent form of amblyopia was refractive with a cumulative prevalence of 1.42%. Strabismic and stimulus deprivation amblyopia accounted for 0.36% and 0.21% of all amblyopic cases, respectively. A major cause of amblyopia in this population was refractive error, hence the use of spectacle correction for its initial management. Repeated assessment after an appropriate period of refractive adaptation would elucidate the proportion of amblyopias needing additional treatment modalities. Vision screening for early detection of amblyopia in childhood with accessible and effective management of amblyopia (including refractive correction and occlusion treatment) is necessary to reduce the impact of amblyopia in Ghana.
