Strabismus And Amblyopia In Thailand

Main Article Content

Watanee Jenchitr
Matee Jaradaroonchay
Nattanan Sakulsiritiwakorn

Abstract

Background :  Strabismus and amblyopia are major causes of childhood visual impairment especially in remote areas where eye screening is not available. Delay in diagnosis and treatment impairs development in children, impedes their education and reduces their workmanship, which seriously affects their self-confidence and limits  potential socioeconomic status.


Objective : To determine the prevalence of strabismus and amblyopia in the Thai population.


Method :  Data from a cross-sectional population based study, stratified cluster random sampling in 22 provinces, including Bangkok was assessed. The eye examinations included visual acuity, evaluation of ocular alignment, refractive errors and fundus examination.


Results : From 21,711 samples, adjusted for gender and age of population, the prevalence of strabismus was 1.42%, of which 15.63% had amblyopia. From an estimated total number of 890,413 cases of strabismus, 237 were blind (based on WHO criteria). Amblyopia prevalence was 0.69%, 19.80% of which were caused by strabismus. From an estimated total number of 431,013 cases of amblyopia, no cases of blindness were found. Conclusion: Amblyopia is the most common cause of monocular visual impairment in children.  While the prevalence of strabismus causing amblyopia in the Thai population is not high, cost effective treatments are available which should be implemented at the pre-school level.  Diagnosis of strabismus and amblyopia after 7-8 years of age can lead to permanent visual loss.  Program guidelines for pre-school and elementary school vision screening should be set up.  The cost benefits of screening will be realized through prevention of blindness and other visual impairments.

Article Details

How to Cite
1.
Jenchitr W, Jaradaroonchay M, Sakulsiritiwakorn N. Strabismus And Amblyopia In Thailand. Interprof J Health Sci [Internet]. 2023 Oct. 5 [cited 2024 Dec. 6];11(1):38-43. Available from: https://li05.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/IJHS/article/view/9
Section
Research Articles

References

Baroncelli L, Maffei L, Sale A. New perspectives in amblyopia therapy on adults: a critical role for the excitatory/inhibitory balance. Front Cell Neurosci.2011; 5: 25

Birch EE, Holmes JM. The clinical profile of amblyopia in children younger than 3 years of age. JAAPOS. 2010; 14: 494-7

Caca I, Cingu AK, Sabin A, Ari S, Dursun ME, Dag U et al. Amblyopia and refractive errors among school-aged children with low socioeconomic status in southeastern Turkey. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2013; 50: 37-43

Dandona R, Dandona L. (2001) Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 79(3).

Faghimi M, Ostadimoghaddam H, Yekta AA. Amblyopia and strabismus in Iranian schoolchildren, Mashhad. Strabismus. 2011; 19: 147-52

Friedmann L, Biedner B, David R, Sachs U. Screening for refractive errors, strabismus and other ocular anomalies from ages 6 months to 3 years. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 1980; 17: 315-317.

Gullayanond P. Healthy eye city. Thai J Pub Hlth Ophthalmol. 2003; 17; 20-23.

Jenchitr W, Harnutsaha P, Iamsirithaworn S, Parnrat U, Choosri C, Yenjitr C. The National survey of Blindness, Low Vision and Visual Impairment in Thailand 2006-2007. Thai J PBl Hlth Ophthalmol. 2007; 21: 10-85

Noche CD, Kagmeni G, Bella AL, Epee E. Prevalence and etiology of amblyopia of children in Yaounde (Cameroon). Sante 2011; 21: 159-64

Mahachaikul A, Sinpornchai N, Kunavisarut S.The study of refractive error and strabismus prevalence in school children.Thai J Ophthalmol.;.1997; 11:1-8.

Pai AS, Rose KA, Leone JK, Sharbini S,Burlutsky G, Varma R. et al. Amblyopia prevalence and risk factors in Australian preschool children. Ophthalmology 2012; 119: 138-44

Polling JR, Loudon SE, Klaver CC. Prevalence of amblyopia and refractive errors in an unscreened population of children. Optom Vis Sci. 2012; 89: 44-9

Parnrat U, Choosri P, Jenchitr W, Anutraangkool W, Wongkittirux K, Bootsayadiloksakul S, et al. Community Eye Health: School Eye Health. Vision 2020. IAPB News. 2004; 43: 6-7

Robaei D, Rose KA, Ojaimi E, Kifley A, Martin FJ, Mitchell P. Causes and associations of amblyopia in a population-based sample of 6-year-old Australian children. Arch Ophthalmol. 2006; 124: 878-884.

Noche CD, Kagmeni G, Bella AL, Epee E. Prevalence and etiology of amblyopia of children in Yaounde (Cameroon). Sante 2011;21:159-64

Shi Y, Xu Z. An investigation on cause of blindness of children in seven blind schools in East China. Chung Hua Yen Ko Tsa Chi. Dec. 2002; 38 ; 747-9.

Shi L, Stevens GD. Vulnerability and the receipt of recommended preventive services: the influence of multiple risk factors. Med Care. 2005; 43:193-198.

Tananuvat N, Manassakorn A, Worapong A, Kupat J, Chuwuttayakorn J, Wattananikorn S. Vision screening in schoolchildren: two years results. : J Med Assoc Thai. 2004; 87:679-84.

Tengtrisorn S, Sangsupawanitch P, Chansawang W. Cost effectiveness analysis of a visual screening program for primary school children in Thailand. J Med Assoc Thai. 2009; 92 (8) : 1050-6.

Vision 2020 The right to sight. WHO Fact sheet. 2002; April, number34.