The Pattern of Refraction Error and Anisometropia In Children in Surit Libya

Abstract

Anisometropia is an underdiagnosed cause of amblyopia because it is not readily apparent to parents or the child and, as a result, often goes undetected until a child is older. Refractive error is globally recognized as the leading cause of correctable visual impairment. The aim of the present study is to assess the relation between refraction error and anisometropia in different age groups.

Methods: This cross-section study trial was conducted on 200 children with anisometropia age ranged from 5-19 years old. All patients were subjected to comprehensive information on visual symptoms, ocular and systemic health history, visual function, refractive status, accommodation, binocular vision and ocular health for persons, assessment of simple hypermetropia, simple myopia, anisometropia, amblyopia, mixed spherical equivalent, uncorrected visual acuity, mixed hypermetropia and comprehensive eye examination.

Results: Simple hypermetropia was significantly higher among 5 -10 years and 15 – 19 years. While simple myopia was significantly higher among 10 - 15 years. However, anisometropia, amblyopia, and mixed hypermetropia were comparable among all age groups. There is a significant negative association between age and simple hypermetropia. Moreover, there is a significant positive association between age and IOP

Conclusions: Refractive error pattern were comparable among both females and males whereas there is a significant negative association between age and simple hypermetropia and also between age and IOP. Therefore, periodic screening in schools should be carried out; schoolteachers, children and their parents should be educated about signs and symptoms of refractive errors and for the risk factors involved in their development.