Prevalence of Vision Impairment in School Children of Puente Piedra, Peru

Abstract

Purpose : To document the prevalence and sociodemographic factors associated with vision impairment in Peruvian children living in Puente Piedra, a resource-poor community in Peru. Methods : Cross-sectional study of children ages 5-19 in Puente Piedra, Peru from March to April, 2011. Participants underwent a standard vision screening exam consisting of distance visual acuity (VA), stereopsis, external eye exam, and color vision testing and completed a sociodemographic and health risk factor questionnaire. Results : 387 children were examined; the mean uncorrected visual acuity of 20/25 ± 1 line. Eyeglasses were used by 3.7%. VA less than 20/30 was present in both eyes of 8.9% of children and in the worse eye of 26.3% of children. Severe visual impairment (<20/200) was found in both eyes of one child (0.3%) and in the worse eye of 3 (0.7%) children. Thirteen (3.5%) children failed the stereopsis exam and 20 (5.5%) boys and 7 (1.9%) girls failed the color vision exam. Overall, 37.3% of children met criteria for referral to an ophthalmologist. Risk factors for referral included: history of eyeglasses use, previous eye exam, or parental concern about the child’s vision. Risk factors for untreated vision impairment included: not having seen a physician regularly, no previous eye exam, and having a blind family member. Conclusion : There was a high prevalence of untreated vision impairment in Peruvian children living in Puente Piedra. Increased screening and eye care is needed for this impoverished population.