Amblyopia - Prevalence among School-Age Children in Etawah, Uttar Pradesh

• Published in: NeuroQuantology Vol. 20; no. 13; p. 4264
• Main Authors: Verma, Meghna, Yadav, Priti
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bornova Izmir NeuroQuantology 01.01.2022
• Subjects: Age; Defects; Hyperopia; Strabismus; Visual acuity; Uttar Pradesh India; India
• ISSN: 1303-5150
• DOI: 10.48047/NQ.2022.20.13.NQ88519

Purpose: To find out how common amblyopia is in school-age children in Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, aged 6 to 16. Methods: 2370 randomly chosen students participated in this population-based cross-sectional study. A Snellen’s chart was used to measure visual acuity. Strabismus was assessed using the cover test, and refractive errors were determined using an autorefractometer and retinoscopy. The fundus, red reflex, anterior segment, and lens opacities were evaluated with direct ophthalmoscopy. Best corrected visual acuity ≤ 6/12 or 20/40 in one or both eyes without anatomical issues was the definition of functional amblyopia. Result: The study group's mean age was 11 (±3.16) years. There was a gender difference in (n=33)1.39% of participants who had amblyopia. Compared to females (n=11) 33.33%, males (n=22) 66.66% were more amblyopic. The participants with amblyopia were considerably younger than the non-amblyopian kids. (84.84%) pupils had refractive error-related amblyopia, including 17 hyperopic, 7 myopic, 4 astigmatic, 1 (3.03%) and cases of amblyopia. Of the cases, 4 (or 12.12%) had strabismus. Amblyogenic risk factors included refractive defects, particularly anisometropia (24)72.72% and hyperopia (17)51.51%.Both unilateral amblyopia (29/33) and moderate amblyopia (25/33) were greater than severe amblyopia (8/33) and bilateral amblyopia (4/33). Conclusion: This study has made it necessary to screen kids for refractive defects, correct them, and upgrade the facilities for routine eye exams and frequent refractive error screening. Uncorrected refractive error caused amblyopia in the majority of the children in our study, a condition that might be prevented by promptly identifying and treating the mistake. The reason for delayed presentations and notable visual impairment linked to amblyopia has been attributed to a lack of understanding and awareness of amblyopia and its prompt care.