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Prevalence of convergence insufficiency among Spanish school children aged 6 to 14 years
Sánchez-Cuadrado Carla1, Bueno-Fernández Sara1, Cárdenas-Rebollo Jm2
1Department of Applied Chemistry and Biochemistry. Área of Optics & Optometry. Faculty of Pharmacy. CEU San Pablo University. Madrid, Spain.
Insights
Early convergence insufficiency (CI) impacts school performance. This study found a 5.30% CI prevalence in Spanish children, with no sex-based risk factors identified, highlighting the need for vision screenings.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Optometry
- Vision Science
Background:
- Convergence insufficiency (CI) can negatively affect children's learning and academic success.
- Early identification and intervention are crucial for managing CI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of CI in a non-clinical Spanish child population.
- To assess if sex is a risk factor for CI in children.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated 628 children (ages 6-14) in the Madrid Community, Spain.
- Utilized Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial (CITT) criteria for CI assessment.
- Assessed visual acuity, binocular vision, exophoria, near point of convergence (NPC), and positive fusional vergence (PFV).
Main Results:
- A CI prevalence of 5.30% (33 children) was detected.
- 23.76% and 12.20% of children showed one or two signs of CI, respectively.
- No statistically significant differences in CI rates were found between sexes.
Conclusions:
- The observed prevalence of clinically significant CI underscores the importance of vision screening programs in schools.
- Early detection of CI is essential to mitigate potential learning difficulties.
Clinical Relevance:
Convergence insufficiency (CI) at an early age can lead to learning difficulties affecting school performance. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of CI in a non-clinical population of Spanish children using well defined clinical criteria and to determine whether sex is a risk factor.
Methods:
Visual acuity and binocular vision tests were performed in 628 children aged 6-14 years (mean age 9.6 ± 1.3 years) at three schools in the Madrid Community, Spain. To assess CI prevalence we used CITT (Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial) criteria. The three signs considered were: i) exophoria at least 4∆ greater at near than at far; ii) near break point of convergence (NPC) ≥ 6 cm; and iii) reduced positive fusional vergence (PFV) at near (≤ 15∆ base-out break or failed Sheard's criterion).
Results:
The CI prevalence detected was 5.30% (33 children). Proportions of children with one or two signs of CI were 23.76% (148 children) and 12.20% (76 children), respectively. No differences in these CI rates by sex were detected.
Conclusion:
The clinically significant CI prevalence observed here suggests the need for more binocular vision screening programmes in school settings.
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