Prevalence of refractive errors in 7 and 8 year-old children in the province of Western Pomerania
Muszyńska-Lachota, I.; Czepita, D.; uczyńska, V.; Wysiecki, P.ła.
Annales Academiae Medicae Stetinensis 51(Suppl 1): 109-111
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 1427-440X PMID: 16602436 Document Number: 590225
To determine the prevalence of refractive errors in 7 and 8 year-old schoolchildren in the province of Western Pomerania. 140 pupils of elementary schools were examined. Measurements of visual acuity and retinoscopy after cycloplegia were carried out. Prevalence of hyperopia, myopia, and astigmatism was 76.1%, 3.3% and 5.1%, respectively. No statistically significant differences between 7 and 8 year-old children were found. 1. There is a relatively high prevalence of refractive errors, with hyperopia prevailing, among 7 and 8 year-old schoolchildren. 2. Myopia in young children is a cause for concern an further studies. 3. High prevalence of refractive errors in children calls for systematic examination and focused interviewing by medical professionals of the school health care system.