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The prevalence and causes of visual impairment among children in Kenya - the Kenya eye study

Shadrack Muma1, Stephen Obonyo2

  • 1Department of Public Health, Maseno University, Po Box 811, Kisumu, Kenya. mumashadrack275@gmail.com.

BMC Ophthalmology
|October 8, 2020
PubMed

Insights

This study found that visual impairment affects 2.4% of Kenyan children, with uncorrected refractive error being the primary cause. Prevalence increases with age, highlighting the need for targeted vision care interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Public Health
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Visual impairment, defined as reduced visual acuity (6/18-no light perception), is under-recognized in Kenyan children.
  • This study addresses the gap in understanding the prevalence and causes of visual impairment in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of visual impairment in Kenyan children.
  • To identify the primary causes of visual impairment among children in Kenya.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional, population-based study involving 3400 randomly selected children (aged 5-16 years) in Kenya.
  • Visual acuity assessed using Snellen charts; anterior and posterior segments examined via slit lamp and indirect ophthalmoscopy.
  • Prevalence calculated using World Health Organization (WHO) definitions.

Main Results:

  • Visual acuity data obtained from 3240 (95.3%) participants.
  • Prevalence of visual impairment was 1.7% (pin-hole) and 2.4% (presenting acuity) per WHO criteria.
  • Uncorrected refractive error was the leading cause (62%) of presenting visual impairment, with nystagmus (14%) and amblyopia (24%) also significant. Prevalence increased with age.

Conclusions:

  • Visual impairment prevalence in Kenyan children is linked to increasing age.
  • Uncorrected refractive errors are the predominant cause of visual impairment in this demographic, emphasizing the need for accessible vision correction services.
Abstract

Keywords:
KenyaOcular diseasesPrevalenceRefractive errorVisual impairment

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