Danish Rural Eye Study: the association of preschool vision screening with the prevalence of amblyopia. (28th December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Høeg, Tracy B.; Moldow, Birgitte; Ellervik, Christina; Klemp, Kristian; Erngaard, Ditte; la Cour, Morten; Buch, Helena
• Is Part Of: Acta ophthalmologica. Volume 93:Number 4(2015)
• Page Start: 322
• Page End: 329
• Publication Date: 2014-12-28
• Subjects: Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; 617.7005
• DOI: 10.1111/aos.12639
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1755-375X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="aos12639-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="aos12639-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Purpose</title> <p>To determine the prevalence of amblyopia in Denmark before and after the initiation of the Danish national preschool vision screening programme.</p> </sec> <sec id="aos12639-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>In a population‐based cross‐sectional study, 3826 participants of the Danish General Suburban Population Study (GESUS) aged 20 years and older from a Danish rural municipality received a complete general health examination and an ophthalmological interview and examination. This study included a comprehensive ophthalmologic interview, measurement of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in each eye, Hirschberg's test for strabismus and two 45‐degree retinal fundus photographs of each eye. A complete ophthalmologic examination was performed when indicated.</p> </sec> <sec id="aos12639-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>The prevalence of monocular visual impairment (MVI) was 4.26% (95% CI, 3.66–4.95, <italic>n</italic> = 163). Amblyopia was the most common cause, accounting for 33%. The prevalence of amblyopia was 1.44% (95% CI, 1.01–1.81, <italic>n</italic> = 55), being higher among non‐preschool vision screened persons compared to those who were offered (estimated 95% attendance) preschool vision screening (1.78%, <italic>n</italic> = 41, 95% CI 1.24–2.33 versus 0.44%, <italic>n</italic> = 2, 95% CI, 0.12–1.60, p = 0.024). The leading cause of amblyopia was anisometropia (45.5%, 25/55).</p> </sec> <sec id="aos12639-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Amblyopia was the most common cause of MVI. Following the initiation of the Danish national preschool vision screening programme, which has an approximate attendance rate of 95%, the prevalence of amblyopia decreased by fourfold.</p> </sec> </abstract>