J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2004 Jul;45(7):1141-1149.

Distribution of Refractive Errors and Quantified Optometric Values in Urban Elementary Fourth Graders in Korea

• Kang JE
• Jun RM
• Lee HJ
• Jung SH
• Choi KR

Abstract

PURPOSE
To assess the distribution of ocular diseases, refractive errors, and quantified optometric values in urban elementary 4th graders in Korea. METHODS: A total of 234 schoolchildren were assessed in a population-based, cross-sectional study. The examination included uncorrected and corrected visual acuity measurements, corneal refractive power measurements using an autokeratometer (KR-8100, Topcon(R) Inc., Japan), ocular motility evaluation, slit-lamp biomicroscopy for the anterior segment and media, the measurements of anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, and axial length using an A-scan ultrasound biometry (A/B-scan system 835, Humphrey(R) Inc., Dublin, CA), retinoscopy under cycloplegia, and fundus examination. RESULTS: The prevalence rates of strabismus, epiblepharon, and amblyopia were 1.3%, 2.6%, and 1.7%, respectively. Mean visual acuity was -0.18 +/- 0.31 LogMAR. The prevalence rates of myopia (or=+1.00 D SE), and anisometropia (SE difference>or=1.00 D) were 46.2%, 7.3% and 5.9%, respectively. The means of corneal refractive power, axial length, and anterior chamber depth were 43.29 +/- 1.45 D, 23.42 +/- 1.26 mm, and 3.29 +/- 0.30 mm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We assessed the distribution of ocular diseases, refractive errors, and quantified optometric values in a population-based study. The results showed that increases in the prevalence of reduced vision and myopia are an important public health problem in urban elementary 4th graders in Korea.

Keyword

Anterior chamber depth; Axial length; Ocular diseases; Refractive errors

MeSH Terms

Amblyopia
Anisometropia
Anterior Chamber
Biometry
Cross-Sectional Studies
Hyperopia
Korea*
Myopia
Prevalence
Public Health
Refractive Errors*
Retinoscopy
Strabismus
Ultrasonography
Vision, Low
Visual Acuity