This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of heterotropia and heterophoria in Iran. This was a cross-section study undertaken in 2013 with the target population of grade 1 (seven-year-old) children. Seven cities across different geographical locations were included with multistage randomised cluster sampling and equal numbers of boy and girl schools. Assessment was with non-cycloplegic automated refraction, visual acuity with E Snellen chart at six metres, cover test at near and distance fixation, cycloplegic refraction plus lensometry. Of the 3675 children recruited (47.8% female), 92 children were found to have strabismus – a prevalence of 1.68%. The prevalence was calculated as 2.17% for boys and 1.27% for girls. Exotropia was the most common strabismus (1.27%). Esotropia occurred in 0.44%, hypertropia in 0.1%, heterophoria in 32.98%, constant strabismus in 0.73% and intermittent strabismus in 0.96%. Amblyopia was present in 23.77% in strabismic and 1.43% in non-strabismic children. There were greater odds in amblyopia in esotropia than exotropia. The results support attention to screening and treatment of amblyopia in strabismus.
Iranian strabismus prevalence
Reviewed by Fiona Rowe
The prevalence of strabismus in 7-year-old school children in Iran.
CONTRIBUTOR
Fiona Rowe (Prof)
Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, UK.
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