FACTORS INFLUENCING PREVALENCE OF AMBLYOPIA IN SCHOOL GOING CHILDREN

Anusha B; Asha latha A; Krishna Prasad P

Volume : VII, Issue : VIII, August - 2018

FACTORS INFLUENCING PREVALENCE OF AMBLYOPIA IN SCHOOL GOING CHILDREN

Anusha B, Asha Latha A, Krishna Prasad P

Abstract :

INTRODUCTION: Amblyopia has been defined in a variety of ways. Von Graefe, defined amblyopia as the condition in which the observer sees nothing and patient very little¹. Clinically amblyopia has been defined as unilateral or bilateral reduction in the best-corrected visual acuity caused by form vision deprivation and /or abnormal binocular interaction, without a visible organic cause commensurate with this visual loss².

MATERIAL AND METHODS:A prospective study was undertaken from Dec 2012 to May 2014 at Govt schools of GVMC, Vizag. Total 8436 school going children aged between 5-15 years were screened and children whose VA < 6/12 and not improving with pin hole were included in the study. These children with poor vision were referred to Govt. REH and further examination for amblyopia was done.

RESULTS:This study was to identify the various factors influencing the prevalence of amblyopia.The study was conducted in 15 schools and a total of 8436 children were screened and 106 Children were diagnosed Amblyopic.

CONCLUSION:Amblyopia is more common in the age group of 11-13 yrs( 34%) , with more prevalence in boys (54%) than girls. Anisometropic amblyopia is the commonest type of amblyopia (29%).In amblyopia caused by refractive errors, hypermetropia( 65%) is common than Myopia(35%).Children even with a hypermetropia of 2-4 D developed amblyopia in majority of cases(48%) where as myopia of >6 D was responsible for amblyopia in large no. of cases (54%). Esodeviation was responsible for amblyopia than exodeviation in more no. of cases (68%).Initiation of treatment in children with amblyopia before 8 years of age yields a better prognosis.