Abstract

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of amblyopia,refractive errors and other accompanying pathologies in children over four years of age who underwent their first ophthalmologic examination.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 76 children who were admitted to the ophthalmology clinic of the Sakarya Yenikent State Hospital for the first eye exam in the period from February to May 2012. Visual acuity was first measured, then dynamic retinoscopy, slit-lamp biomicroscopy and fundus examination was performed for all the patients. Cycloplegic eye examination was conducted for required patients.

RESULTS

Out of the 76 children, 41 were girls and 35 were boys, the youngest was 4 and the oldest was 15 years old, and the mean age was 9.01 ± 2.73 years. Out of the 43 (43/76; 56.5%) children with refractive errors, 19 (19/76; 25.0%) cases had hypermetropia, 12 (12/76, 15.8%) cases had myopia, and 12 (12/76, 15.8%) cases had astigmatism, while any refractive error was detected in 33 (43.5%) children. Considering age and emmetropization of the children, appropriate eyeglasses were given. Among children, amblyopia was detected in 12 (15.8%) cases. Of the amblyopic children, 1 (1.3%) patient had cataract, 2 (2.6%) patients had esotropia, and 1 (1.3%) patient had exotropia.

CONCLUSION

In our country, the first eye examination of the children is generally performed after the age of 4, in which they become more responsive and communicative. Since the age period is critical for the ambliyopia treatment, even if the parents and the child had another complaint, refraction test should be performed. In this way, ambliyopia which is a cause of avoidable blindness can be detected more easily.