Amy H Huang1, Xinxing Guo2, Lucy I Mudie3, Rebecca Wolf4, Josephine Owoeye5, Michael X Repka1, David S Friedman2, Robert E Slavin4, Megan E Collins6. 1. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. 2. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Dana Center for Preventive Ophthalmology at the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute, Baltimore, Maryland. 3. Ochsner Medical Clinic, New Orleans, Louisiana. 4. Johns Hopkins School of Education, Baltimore, Maryland. 5. University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Optometry, Pikeville, Kentucky. 6. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Dana Center for Preventive Ophthalmology at the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute, Baltimore, Maryland. Electronic address: mcolli36@jhmi.edu.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To assess the patterns and predictors of glasses wear in a 2-year school-based study. METHODS: Second and third graders underwent an eye examination at school. Two pairs of glasses were provided if they met prescribing criteria. Replacements were provided as needed. Students received follow-up examinations and completed survey questionnaires during the same and the following academic year. RESULTS: Of the 197 students prescribed glasses who completed year 1 follow-up, 172 (87%), were observed to still be wearing glasses. However, less than two-thirds of students reported wearing glasses as prescribed (eg full-time if prescribed full-time). Most students, 175 (89%), reported being happy with their glasses and 135 (69%) reported improvement in vision. Thirty-nine students (20%) reported being teased about their glasses. Replacement glasses were required by 136 students (66%). Refractive error was not associated with likelihood of requiring replacement. Being observed wearing glasses correlated with parent (OR = 4.2; 95% CI, 1.2-15.0) and teacher reminders (OR = 6.4; 95% CI, 1.5-28.4) in year 2. CONCLUSIONS: Most children continued to wear glasses during follow-up, yet not always as prescribed. A substantial proportion of students required replacements, underscoring the importance of school-based programs developing mechanisms to monitor eyeglasses usage and mechanisms to replace lost or broken pairs.
PURPOSE: To assess the patterns and predictors of glasses wear in a 2-year school-based study. METHODS: Second and third graders underwent an eye examination at school. Two pairs of glasses were provided if they met prescribing criteria. Replacements were provided as needed. Students received follow-up examinations and completed survey questionnaires during the same and the following academic year. RESULTS: Of the 197 students prescribed glasses who completed year 1 follow-up, 172 (87%), were observed to still be wearing glasses. However, less than two-thirds of students reported wearing glasses as prescribed (eg full-time if prescribed full-time). Most students, 175 (89%), reported being happy with their glasses and 135 (69%) reported improvement in vision. Thirty-nine students (20%) reported being teased about their glasses. Replacement glasses were required by 136 students (66%). Refractive error was not associated with likelihood of requiring replacement. Being observed wearing glasses correlated with parent (OR = 4.2; 95% CI, 1.2-15.0) and teacher reminders (OR = 6.4; 95% CI, 1.5-28.4) in year 2. CONCLUSIONS: Most children continued to wear glasses during follow-up, yet not always as prescribed. A substantial proportion of students required replacements, underscoring the importance of school-based programs developing mechanisms to monitor eyeglasses usage and mechanisms to replace lost or broken pairs.