Screening for amblyopia in pre-school children in the Family Health Centre, Bernardo Leighton

Abstract

Introduction: Amblyopia refers to a decrease of vision for which no organic cause can be found and its prevalence varies between 1 to 5% in the general population. 

Objectives: to assess the prevalence and determine the causes of amblyopia in 4 to 5 year old pre-school children. 

Methods: 94 children were randomly sent from the Bernardo Leighton Family Health Center for a complete ophthalmological examination. Corrected visual acuity and refraction were measured to determine the existance of amblyopia.

Results: Amblyopia was found in 9.6% of children, being bilateral in 5.3%, astigmatism being the principal cause. 93.3% of children with a visual acuity without correction equal or less than 0.5 had amblyopia. 

Conclusiones: The high prevalence of amblyopia found in pre-school children demonstrates the need to begin a visual screening programme to enable its early detection. A visual acuity without correction equal or less than 0.5 is a risk factor for amblyopia.