Risk rates for factors placing children visually at risk

Data from 7569 maternal and child health histories and the vision assessment records of the children were analyzed to determine if exposure to various "risk factors" increased prevalence of ocular anomalies in those children who were exposed. The results indicate higher attributable risk (AR) and relative risk (RR) rates for a number of the factors studied including: maternal use of cigarettes, being born to mothers 19 years and younger at the time of the child's birth, having rubella or mumps between birth and 6 years of age, being male, and other factors. Moderate use of alcohol did not appear to increase the risk of having the visual anomalies. Knowledge of factors placing children visually at risk provides the possibility of prevention by reducing such risks as well as assisting in early detection and care of ocular anomalies.