Tracy B Høeg1,2, Birgitte Moldow1, Christina Ellervik2,3, Kristian Klemp4, Ditte Erngaard1, Morten la Cour2,4, Helena Buch4. 1. Department of Ophthalmology, Naestved Hospital, Naestved, Denmark. 2. The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. 3. Department of General Population Study, Nykøbing Falster Hospital, Nykøbing Falster, Denmark. 4. Department of Ophthalmology, Capital Region Eye Clinic, Glostrup Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of amblyopia in Denmark before and after the initiation of the Danish national preschool vision screening programme. METHODS: In a population-based cross-sectional study, 3826 participants of the Danish General Suburban Population Study (GESUS) aged 20 years and older from a Danish rural municipality received a complete general health examination and an ophthalmological interview and examination. This study included a comprehensive ophthalmologic interview, measurement of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in each eye, Hirschberg's test for strabismus and two 45-degree retinal fundus photographs of each eye. A complete ophthalmologic examination was performed when indicated. RESULTS: The prevalence of monocular visual impairment (MVI) was 4.26% (95% CI, 3.66-4.95, n = 163). Amblyopia was the most common cause, accounting for 33%. The prevalence of amblyopia was 1.44% (95% CI, 1.01-1.81, n = 55), being higher among non-preschool vision screened persons compared to those who were offered (estimated 95% attendance) preschool vision screening (1.78%, n = 41, 95% CI 1.24-2.33 versus 0.44%, n = 2, 95% CI, 0.12-1.60, p = 0.024). The leading cause of amblyopia was anisometropia (45.5%, 25/55). CONCLUSIONS: Amblyopia was the most common cause of MVI. Following the initiation of the Danish national preschool vision screening programme, which has an approximate attendance rate of 95%, the prevalence of amblyopia decreased by fourfold.
PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of amblyopia in Denmark before and after the initiation of the Danish national preschool vision screening programme. METHODS: In a population-based cross-sectional study, 3826 participants of the Danish General Suburban Population Study (GESUS) aged 20 years and older from a Danish rural municipality received a complete general health examination and an ophthalmological interview and examination. This study included a comprehensive ophthalmologic interview, measurement of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in each eye, Hirschberg's test for strabismus and two 45-degree retinal fundus photographs of each eye. A complete ophthalmologic examination was performed when indicated. RESULTS: The prevalence of monocular visual impairment (MVI) was 4.26% (95% CI, 3.66-4.95, n = 163). Amblyopia was the most common cause, accounting for 33%. The prevalence of amblyopia was 1.44% (95% CI, 1.01-1.81, n = 55), being higher among non-preschool vision screened persons compared to those who were offered (estimated 95% attendance) preschool vision screening (1.78%, n = 41, 95% CI 1.24-2.33 versus 0.44%, n = 2, 95% CI, 0.12-1.60, p = 0.024). The leading cause of amblyopia was anisometropia (45.5%, 25/55). CONCLUSIONS:Amblyopia was the most common cause of MVI. Following the initiation of the Danish national preschool vision screening programme, which has an approximate attendance rate of 95%, the prevalence of amblyopia decreased by fourfold.
Authors: Heike M Elflein; Roman Pokora; Denis F Müller; Klaus Jahn; Katharina A Ponto; Susanne Pitz; Norbert Pfeiffer; Alexander K Schuster; Michael S Urschitz Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-05-14 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Jan Kik; Mandy Nordmann; Simona Cainap; Mihai Mara; Daniela Rajka; Monica Ghițiu; Alin Vladescu; Frea Sloot; Anna Horwood; Maria Fronius; Cristina Vladutiu; Huibert Jan Simonsz Journal: Int J Equity Health Date: 2021-12-18
Authors: Heike M Elflein; Roman Pokora; Denis Müller; Alexander K Schuster; Klaus Jahn; Katharina A Ponto; Susanne Pitz; Norbert Pfeiffer; Michael S Urschitz Journal: Ophthalmologe Date: 2021-05 Impact factor: 1.059