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Stereoacuity and ocular-associated factors in children aged 3-7 years in Guangxi, Southwest China: a cross-sectional
Xin Xiao1,2,3, Huiyao Huang1, Yan Luo1
1Visual Science and Optometry Center of Guangxi, The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China.
Insights
Most children aged 3-7 in Guangxi have subnormal stereoacuity. Ocular factors like anisometropia and astigmatism increase risk, underscoring the need for early vision screening in children.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Optometry
- Public Health
Background:
- Stereoacuity is crucial for visual development in children.
- Limited data exists on stereoacuity distribution and associated factors in young children in Southwest China.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and distribution of stereoacuity.
- To identify ocular factors associated with subnormal stereoacuity in children aged 3-7 years in Guangxi, China.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 4,090 children aged 3-7 years in Nanning City, Guangxi.
- Comprehensive ocular assessments including visual acuity, cover tests, and cycloplegic autorefraction.
- Multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify risk factors for subnormal stereoacuity (>40 arcsec).
Main Results:
- The majority (65.18%) of children exhibited subnormal stereoacuity.
- Prevalence rates: anisometropia (18.24%), astigmatism (26.11%).
- Risk factors for subnormal stereoacuity included higher interocular acuity difference (IAD), worse visual acuity, greater astigmatism (mean CYL), and anisometropia.
Conclusions:
- Subnormal stereoacuity is highly prevalent in young children in Guangxi.
- Ocular conditions such as anisometropia, astigmatism, and interocular acuity differences are significant risk factors.
- Early screening for stereoacuity and associated ocular risk factors is crucial for this age group.
Objective:
This study aimed to investigate the distribution of stereoacuity and its ocular-associated factors in children aged 3-7 years in Guangxi, Southwest China.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study recruited 4,090 children aged 3-7 years (mean: 5.12 ± 0.95 years) from 12 randomly selected kindergartens via cluster sampling in Nanning City, Guangxi, Southwest China. Comprehensive ocular assessments included visual acuity assessment, cover/uncover and alternating cover tests, anterior segment examination, fundus examination, the Titmus stereo test, and cycloplegic autorefraction. The univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine the factors associated with subnormal stereoacuity (>40 arcsec).
Results:
The prevalence rates of anisometropia, astigmatism, and strabismus were 18.24, 26.11, and 0.20%, respectively. The mean stereoacuity was 1.88 ± 0.34 log units (median: 60.25 arcsec), with the majority (65.18%) having subnormal stereoacuity. The mean log units of stereoacuity decreased with age (F = 144.7, p < 0.001). Compared to girls, boys had a significantly greater mean log unit stereoacuity (1.90 ± 0.35 vs. 1.87 ± 0.34, t = 2.589, p = 0.010). In the multivariate logistic regression, older age (odds ratio [OR]: 0.040-0.461 for years 4-7, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.018-0.613 for years 4-7, all p < 0.001) and girls (OR = 0.672, 95% CI: 0.584-0.772, p < 0.001) were protective factors, whereas interocular acuity difference [IAD] (OR = 6.906, 95% CI: 3.133-16.01, p < 0.001), mean LogMAR acuity (OR = 11.491, 95% CI: 6.065-22.153, p < 0.001), mean cylindrical error [CYLmean] (OR = 1.201, 95% CI: 1.055-1.365, p = 0.005), and anisometropia (OR = 1.452, 95% CI: 1.202-1.760, p < 0.001) were risk factors for subnormal stereoacuity.
Conclusion:
Ocular factors, including higher IAD, worse acuity, greater astigmatism, and greater anisometropia, were identified as risk factors for subnormal stereoacuity, highlighting the importance and urgency of early screening for stereoacuity and ocular risk factors in children aged 3-7 years in Guangxi.
