Prevalence of refractive errors in Vietnamese school children: a meta-analysis

  • 0School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK.

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Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Refractive errors, including myopia, are prevalent in Vietnamese children, affecting over 37%. This study highlights higher rates in urban areas and among females, informing targeted eye care strategies.

Area Of Science

  • Ophthalmology
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background

  • Vietnam faces increasing myopia progression, yet national refractive error prevalence remains unclear.
  • Understanding refractive error distribution is crucial for public health initiatives in developing nations.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To estimate the pooled prevalence of refractive errors in Vietnamese children.
  • To investigate disparities in prevalence based on geographic location (urban vs. rural) and sex.

Main Methods

  • Systematic literature search adhering to PRISMA guidelines up to April 2024.
  • Quality assessment using the Joanna Briggs Institute Prevalence Critical Appraisal Tool.
  • Meta-analysis to determine pooled prevalence with sensitivity analyses for robustness.

Main Results

  • 15 studies (32,211 children) were identified; 6 (15,825 children) included in meta-analysis.
  • Pooled prevalence: refractive error 37.60%, myopia 28.83%, hyperopia 0.41%.
  • Higher prevalence observed in urban areas and among female children, with significant heterogeneity noted.

Conclusions

  • Significant prevalence of refractive errors, particularly myopia, exists in Vietnamese school children.
  • Findings underscore the need for targeted interventions and preventative eye care.
  • Further research with standardized protocols is recommended for more precise prevalence estimates.