Prevalence of Amblyopia or Strabismus in Asian and Non-Hispanic White Preschool Children

Abstract

Objective To determine the age- and race-specific prevalence of amblyopia in Asian and non-Hispanic white children aged 30 to 72 months and of strabismus in children aged 6 to 72 months. Design Cross-sectional survey. Participants A population-based, multiethnic sample of children aged 6 to 72 months was identified in Los Angeles and Riverside counties in California to evaluate the prevalence of ocular conditions. Methods A comprehensive eye examination and in-clinic interview were conducted with 80% of eligible children. The examination included evaluation of ocular alignment, refractive error, and ocular structures in children aged 6 to 72 months, as well as a determination of optotype visual acuity (VA) in children aged 30 to 72 months. Main Outcome Measures The proportion of 6- to 72-month-old participants with strabismus and 30- to 72-month-olds with optotype VA deficits and amblyopia risk factors consistent with study definitions of amblyopia. Results Strabismus was found in 3.55% (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.68–4.60) of Asian children and 3.24% (95% CI, 2.40–4.26) of non-Hispanic white children, with a higher prevalence with each subsequent older age category from 6 to 72 months in both racial/ethnic groups (P=0.0003 and 0.02, respectively). Amblyopia was detected in 1.81% (95% CI, 1.06–2.89) of Asian and non-Hispanic white children; the prevalence of amblyopia was higher for each subsequent older age category among non-Hispanic white children (P=0.01) but showed no significant trend among Asian children (P=0.30). Conclusions The prevalence of strabismus was similar in Asian and non-Hispanic white children and was found to be higher among older children from 6 to 72 months. The prevalence of amblyopia was the same in Asian and non-Hispanic white children; prevalence seemed to be higher among older non-Hispanic white children but was relatively stable by age in Asian children. These findings may help clinicians to better understand the patterns of strabismus and amblyopia and potentially inform planning for preschool vision screening programs.

Axial Length and Associated Factors in Children: The Shandong Children Eye Study

“…The questions were answered mostly by the parents. Its structure was similar to the design of the questionnaire used previously in the Refractive Error Study in Children (RESC) and the Multi-Ethnic Pediatric Eye Disease Study [7,11]. …”

Dynamic cues to binocular depth

“…[1][2][3][4] These deficits often lead to reduced or absent stereoacuity when assessed with current clinical methods. At the same time, qualitative work has shown that even in the absence of clinically measurable stereopsis, the experience of compelling 3D volumetric depth is reported when viewing dynamic stereoscopic stimuli such as 3D video.…”

The Prevalence of Strabismus in 7-Year-Old Schoolchildren in Iran

“…9,10 The prevalence of strabismus ranges from less than 0.5% to about 5% in different communities and countries. 6,[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] However, the prevalence is substantially higher in some diseases, such as Down or Marfan syndrome. 21,26 Available population-based studies on strabismus have mostly addressed binocular vision problems besides amblyopia and very few studies have exclusively evaluated strabismus.…”

“…21,26 Available population-based studies on strabismus have mostly addressed binocular vision problems besides amblyopia and very few studies have exclusively evaluated strabismus. 6,[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] One of the most important questions about strabismus is the ratio of esotropia to exotropia, which is different in different countries. Although most studies have reported that esotropia is more prevalent, most strabismic patients have exotropia in East Asian countries.…”