[Incidence of eye diseases in inhabitants of the Koryak Autonomous Territory].

This study was aimed at comprehensive examination of the visual status of residents of the Northern regions within the frames of investigations on the problem of vision deterioration in the residents of the North. The study covered seven regions of the Koryak Autonomous Territory. A total of 1067 patients were examined, 30% of these were children aged mostly from 6 to 12. About half the examinees were indigenous population of the North. On the whole, the results coincide with previous findings. At the same time, the incidence of myopia is somewhat higher than 10-15 years before. This increase is caused by two principal groups of factors: social and visual. The authors emphasize that the level of ophthalmologic care of the population in the Northern regions is to be improved and measures preventing diseases of the organ of vision be strictly adhered to.