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Pattern and prevalence of eye disorders and diseases in school-aged children: findings from the Nationwide School Sight Sampling Survey in Armenia. BMJ Open Ophthalmol 2022; 7:e000899. [PMID: 35265749 PMCID: PMC8860128 DOI: 10.1136/bmjophth-2021-000899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectiveThis study aims to identify the prevalence of eye disorders and their causes among secondary schoolchildren aged 6–15 years old in Armenia, based on analysis of the Nationwide School Sight Sampling Survey.Methods and AnalysisA two-stage proportionate stratified cluster sample was designed for the survey. 22 600 students were screened for visual acuity in schools; 5944 of them were selected for analysis as a nationally representative sample. Those with 20/40 or worse vision were referred to photoscreening and rapid ophthalmic assessment in schools and then were provided with vouchers for free comprehensive eye examination in eye clinics. Data were collected through data collection forms and analysed using SPSS V.23.ResultsWhile majority of the children (85%) had normal vision, 15% had a visual acuity ≤20/40. The prevalence of vision impairment (VI) in at least one eye was 9.7% and blindness in at least one eye was 0.05%. The prevalence of abnormal vision and VI was higher among girls and older children. VI was more prevalent in urban areas. The most common diagnoses were myopia (60%), astigmatism (33.7%), hyperopia (29.5%) and strabismus (3.8%).ConclusionMajority of the vision abnormalities and VI among schoolchildren are a result of refractive error and are treatable. Our results highlight the importance of regular eye examinations for schoolchildren to detect and prevent VI. Raising awareness among parents, school staff and children about eye health is vital.
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