Epidemiological investigation on strabismus and amblyopia among minority children

Abstract

AIM: To investigate the prevalence of strabismus and amblyopia in Dai, Hani, Lahu and local Han nationality pupils in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, and to analyze its differences and risk factors.METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 7214 patients aged 6-15 years were conducted in Mengla County of Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province. The investigation included naked eye and best corrected visual acuity, diopter, eye position, anterior segment and fundus examination. The influencing factors were analyzed by Logistic regression analysis.RESULTS:(1)The case rate of strabismus(exotropia)and amblyopia(refractive amblyopia)were 2.12%(85.62%)and 0.60%(74.42%)respectively;(2)The case rate of strabismus had no difference in sex, age and nationality(P>0.05), however, the case rate of exotropia was different in ethnic groups: the Lahu is more likely to have exotropia than the Han nationality(OR: 1.86, 95% CI: 1.12-3.09). Immediate family with strabismus or exotropia, myopia and hyperopia were all risk factors of strabismus(POR>1), and myopia was the risk factor of exotropia(OR: 2.13, 95% CI: 1.32-3.44). The OR value of exotropia increased with the diopter of myopia(PP>0.05). Myopia and hyperopia were risk factors of amblyopia(POR>1).CONCLUSION: There is a high risk of strabismus in the children whose immediate family has exotropia of Xishuangbanna ethnic minority, and there is a certain ethnic difference in strabismus; Both myopia and hyperopia are the main risk factors of strabismus and amblyopia. The disease risk of strabismus and exotropia increases with the increase of refractive diopter; Low local amblyopia was associated with a lower incidence of ametropia.

Keywords

• strabismus
• amblyopia
• Xishuangbanna
• ethnic minorities
• children
• epidemiology