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Abstract #19700 Published in IGR 9-4
Prevalence of refractive error and other eye diseases in schoolchildren in the Greater Accra region of Ghana
Ntim-Amponsah CT; Ofosu-Amaah SJournal of Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus 2007; 44: 294-297
PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of refractive error and other eye diseases in schoolchildren in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. METHODS: Research assistants tested visual acuity (VA) using a Snellen chart in students randomly selected from 24 schools (i.e., eight metropolitan, eight urban, and eight rural). An ophthalmologist examined students with VA of 6/12 or worse in either eye and students with other eye problems. RESULTS: Nine hundred fifty-seven students aged six to 22 years were screened: 67 had myopia with VA of 6/12 or worse in the better eye, three were unilaterally blind (two from squint or amblyopia, one from a hypoplastic disk), and four had unilateral low vision from macular scars. Other eye diseases observed were congenital glaucoma (one), vernal conjunctivitis (two), and infective conjunctivitis (six). The prevalence of refractive error reducing vision to at least 6/12 was 7.0%. The prevalence of squint and amblyopia was 0.2%. CONCLUSION: The most common eye defect in the students was refractive error. Squint and amblyopia were rare.
Dr. C.T. Ntim-Amponsah, Ophthalmology Unit, University of Ghana Medical School, P.O. Box GP 4236, Accra, Ghana
Classification:
1.1 Epidemiology (Part of: 1 General aspects)
9.1.1 Congenital glaucoma, Buphthalmos (Part of: 9 Clinical forms of glaucomas > 9.1 Developmental glaucomas)