Vision Screening of Primary School Children Grades 1 to 6 in Phitsanulok Province
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Abstract
Vision screening is essential for detecting visual abnormalities in children, allowing for early identification and the prevention of more serious vision issues later on. In this retrospective study, primary school students in Phitsanulok Province were screened for abnormalities in visual acuity, color vision and stereopsis ability. Also investigated were the associations between age and stereopsis ability as well as age and refractive error. Descriptive statistics and bivariate correlation were used in the data analysis. This study used medical records from the Department of Optometry in Naresuan University’s Faculty of Allied Health Science.A total of 474 eyes were screened from 237 students, whose mean age was 9.46 ± 1.71 years. The findings indicated that in the distant vision screening, 423 eyes (89.2%) had normal vision, 22 eyes (4.7%) had mild abnormalities, and 29 eyes (6.1%) had severe abnormalities. On the other hand, in the near vision screening, 454 eyes (95.8%) had normal vision, 8 (1.7%) had mild abnormalities, and 12 (2.5%) had severe abnormalities. Other results showed that 233 students (98.3%) had normal color vision, while 4 students (1.7%) had impaired color vision. Also, 204 students (86.1%)had normal stereopsis, whereas 33 students (13.9%) had abnormal stereopsis. Finally, a significant negative correlation was found between age and stereopsis ability (rs = -0.490, p-value < 0.001).This research demonstrates the importance of vision screening in school children for the early detection of visual abnormalities. The findings can help healthcare professionals identify common vision issues in primary school-aged children. Additionally, the data can serve as a model for policymakers to develop more effective child eyesight screening programs, ensuring that children receive the best care for good vision.
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