SVIBOR - Project code: 3-01-171

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Strossmayerov trg 4, HR - 10000 ZAGREB
tel.: +385 1 459 44 44, fax: +385 1 459 44 69
E-mail: ured@znanost.hr

SVIBOR

SVIBOR - Collecting Data on Projects in Croatia

Project code: 3-01-171


EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENT IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN


Main researcher: KALOGJERA, TEODORA (19942)


Assistants
Type of research: applied
Duration from: 04/30/91. to 04/30/94.
Papers on project (total): 4
Institution name: Institut za zaštitu majki i djece, Zagreb (72)
Department/Institute: Department of Paediatrics Eye outpatient Klinic
Address: Klaićeva 16
City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia
Communication
Phone: 385 (0)41-440455
Phone: 385 (0)41-441611
Fax: 385 (0)41-451308
Summary: The investigation has been directed in such a way as to present refraction, amblyopia, squint and emmetropization of the eye of children from different regions and environments: the central section of the city of Zagreb and of the rural environment of Čazma as well as of a group of children of displaced persons. In order for our project to give more reliable data we referred to our databank of the Children's Hospital, collected in 1970's and 1980's, where we looked at the state of the mentioned impairments to be able to obtain some comparative orientation. That screening had covered 3074 children between the ages of one to seven. Our present investigations included preschool children of different ages, but we concentrated on the five years' old. The screening of this age group included 550 children (1991, 106; 1992, 65; 1993, 37; 1994, 27; 1995, 88 children). In 1994 227 children of displaced persons were also included as well as 215 children from the rural parts of Čazma. We have found that in 5.35% of the cases of amblyopia were combined with refraction anomalies and anisometropia, twice as many in the cases of long-sightedness than in the cases of short sightedness and astygmatism. It should be pointed out that emmetropization in children of central Zagreb and the rural parts of Čazma shows a statistically significant difference (x2= 32,1%; df= 3; P< 0.01) at the level of 1%. This interesting difference could be ascertained if followed up through several years.

Keywords: vision health care, refraction, visual impairment,assessment of vision, prevention of blindness, amblyopia,vision disorders, vision screening program, pre-school children.

Research goals: Visual impairments in pre-school chidren are points of special interests, as some 3-4 % of chidren suffer from amblyopia, while nearly 28% are in need of ophathalmological care during pre-school and school periods. The goal of this study is an overall view of the situation concerning vision in pre-school population as well as to pin-point visual impairments in a bid to improve health via the programme of specific prevention. This is only possible with the existence of screenings that ensure early prevention and therapy, as the child grows older the possibility of improvement of its sight is 10% less each year. The necessity of full awareness of the systematic data concerning vision of different age groups is also one of the requirements of the WHO. This study should provide: 1. The assessment of the influence of visual impairments and different types of visual problems on health and the social and economic situation and the overall community. 2. The accurate assessment of the needs of the sick and healthy concerning ophthalmological help. 3. To find and put into action the best solutions taking into consideration the needs, the request and the abilities. If refractive anomalies, amblyopia and squint are seen as an important community health problem, then in accordance with the WHO guide-lines for the screening of chronic diseases they can be detected in their initial phase through the use of tests that have been accepted by the population (Kalogjera, 1979). This ensures a successful therapy. According to research results, due to anisometopia with amblyopia found in some 3% of those screened, it is of the utmost importance that the screenings be carried out.
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