Visual screening to discover ophthalmologic disorders in children

PURPOSE: [corrected] To report the frequency of common childhood ocular disorders in a pediatric population. To address the issue of access to care for vision screening programs. METHODS: Prospective vision screening for a period of 2 years (February 2001-February 2003) which enroll 254 children from 3 villages (Cepleniţa, Vlădeni, Aroneanu) sponsored by World Vision Romania. The study asses refractive errors, strabismus, amblyopia and other ocular abnormalities. RESULTS: The mean age was 8.09 +/- 2.88 with the following distribution: preschool 19%, first grade 56%, second grade (over 10 years of age) 25%. Refractive errors requiring correction were observed frequently in this group of children (especially mild hyperopia, small myopia, astigmatic refractive errors). Strabismus was identified in 7.87% of cases and amblyopia in 11.42% (1/3 of cases mild and severe). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of common visual disorders in this population sample was larger than previously published studies. In poor economic subgroups the first ophthalmologic examination was performed after school age. Access to care is an integral part of any vision screening program. We are trying to highlight the importance of effective follow-up programs for all children especially those with limited resources for health care.