Related Experiment Videos
Visual impairment in Swedish children. I. Register and prevalence data
1Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Lund, Sweden.
Insights
This study presents the first comprehensive epidemiological data on visual impairment in Swedish children. It reveals a prevalence of 10.9/10,000, with significant co-occurring conditions in 60% of cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Sweden lacked continuous registration of visually impaired children.
- Epidemiology of childhood visual impairment is crucial for pediatric ophthalmology.
- This study addresses the need for comprehensive data in Sweden.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct the first epidemiological study of visual impairment in children in Sweden.
- To collect and present data on visually impaired children aged 0-19 years.
- To analyze prevalence, causes, and associated conditions.
Main Methods:
- Data collected from all registered children at Low Vision Clinics across Sweden.
- Included 2373 visually impaired children aged 0-19 years.
- Data points: demographics, ocular/systemic diagnoses, visual impairment classification, etiology, additional impairments.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of visual impairment (WHO definition) was 10.9/10,000 children (0-19 years).
- A slight male preponderance was observed.
- 60% of children had additional impairments, most commonly mental and/or motor impairments.
- 45% had moderate visual impairment (WHO category 1); 25% met criteria for blindness (WHO categories 3-5).
Conclusions:
- This study establishes baseline epidemiological data for childhood visual impairment in Sweden.
- High rates of additional impairments highlight the need for multidisciplinary care.
- Findings provide a foundation for targeted public health interventions and clinical practice improvements.
Abstract:
Knowledge of the epidemiology of visual impairment in children forms one of the cornerstones of pediatric ophthalmology. In contrast to e.g. the other Nordic countries, Sweden has had no efficient and continuous registration of visually impaired children. An epidemiological study on this subject has now been done, collecting data on all children and adolescents registered at the Low Vision Clinics throughout Sweden. In this work data on 2373 visually impaired children, 0-19 years of age and living throughout Sweden are presented. Data collected in the study include sex, date of birth, county, ocular diagnosis, systemic diagnosis, classification of visual impairment, aetiology and possible additional impairments. The prevalence of visual impairment as defined by WHO was 10.9/10,000 inhabitants in the current age group. A slight male preponderance was seen compared to the total population 0-19 years. This was not reduced when only non-genetic aetiological factors were taken into consideration. A total of 45% of the children had only a moderate visual impairment (WHO category 1), whereas approximately 25% were found in WHO categories 3,4 and 5, i.e. fulfilled the requirements for blindness. Additional impairments were found in 60% of the children. Mental impairment in combination with motor impairment or mental impairment exclusively were the most common ones seen.