This population-based study was conducted in the Mashhad County in the north east of Iran to determine the prevalence of amblyopia and its determinants and to predict the health needs of the county. This was a cross-sectional study and of a total of 4453 subjects, 3132 participated (70.4% response). Thirty-eight percent were male. Analysis of 2739 subjects was made after exclusion of ocular disease, incomplete data, etc. Mean age was 29.5±17.5 years. Total prevalence of amblyopia was 4.6% (n=126). Fifty-four percent had unilateral amblyopia. Prevalence was 3.39% in males and 5.23% in females; 2.24% in ages 5-15 years and 7.14% in ages 55-65 years; 5.71% in illiterate people and 2.59% in educated people; 45.24% was anisometropic amblyopia, 24.6% was mixed, and 16.67% was strabismic. A low prevalence was found in young children which may be due to the implementation of preschool screening programmes in recent years.
Iranian prevalence of amblyopia
Reviewed by Fiona Rowe
The prevalence of amblyopia and its determinants in a population-based study.
CONTRIBUTOR
Fiona Rowe (Prof)
Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, UK.
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