Visual acuity and refraction by age for children of three different ethnic groups in Paraguay.

PURPOSE: To characterize refractive errors in Paraguayan children aged 5-16 years and investigate effect of age, gender, and ethnicity. METHODS: The study was conducted at 3 schools that catered to Mennonite, indigenous, and mixed race children. Children were examined for presenting visual acuity, autorefraction with and without cycloplegia, and retinoscopy. Data were analyzed for myopia and hyperopia (SE ≤-1 D or -0.5 D and ≥2 D or ≥3 D) and astigmatism (cylinder ≥1 D). Spherical equivalent (SE) values were calculated from right eye cycloplegic autorefraction data and analyzed using general linear modelling. RESULTS: There were 190, 118, and 168 children of Mennonite, indigenous and mixed race ethnicity, respectively. SE values between right/left eyes were nonsignificant. Mean visual acuity (VA) without correction was better for Mennonites compared to indigenous or mixed race children (right eyes: 0.031, 0.090, and 0.102 logMAR units, respectively; P<0.000001). There were 2 cases of myopia in the Mennonite group (1.2%) and 2 cases in the mixed race group (1.4%) (SE ≤-0.5 D). The prevalence of hyperopia (SE ≥2 D) was 40.6%, 34.2%, and 46.3% for Mennonite, indigenous and mixed race children. Corresponding astigmatism rates were 3.2%, 9.5%, and 12.7%. Females were slightly more hyperopic than males, and the 9-11 years age group was the most hyperopic. Mennonite and mixed race children were more hyperopic than indigenous children. CONCLUSIONS: Paraguayan children were remarkably hyperopic and relatively free of myopia. Differences with regard to gender, age, and ethnicity were small.

Visual acuity and refraction by age for children of three different ethnic groups in Paraguay / Acuidade visual e refração por idade para crianças de três grupos étnicos diferentes no Paraguai

PURPOSE: To characterize refractive errors in Paraguayan children aged 5-16 years and investigate effect of age, gender, and ethnicity. METHODS:The study was conducted at 3 schools that catered to Mennonite, indigenous, and mixed race children. Children were examined for presenting visual acuity, autorefraction with and without cycloplegia, and retinoscopy. Data were analyzed for myopia and hyperopia (SE ≤-1 D or -0.5 D and ≥2 D or ≥3 D) and astigmatism (cylinder ≥1 D). Spherical equivalent (SE) values were calculated from right eye cycloplegic autorefraction data and analyzed using general linear modelling. RESULTS: There were 190, 118, and 168 children of Mennonite, indigenous and mixed race ethnicity, respectively. SE values between right/left eyes were nonsignificant. Mean visual acuity (VA) without correction was better for Mennonites compared to indigenous or mixed race children (right eyes: 0.031, 0.090, and 0.102 logMAR units, respectively; P<0.000001). There were 2 cases of myopia in the Mennonite group (1.2%) and 2 cases in the mixed race group (1.4%) (SE ≤-0.5 D). The prevalence of hyperopia (SE ≥2 D) was 40.6%, 34.2%, and 46.3% for Mennonite, indigenous and mixed race children. Corresponding astigmatism rates were 3.2%, 9.5%, and 12.7%. Females were slightly more hyperopic than males, and the 9-11 years age group was the most hyperopic. Mennonite and mixed race children were more hyperopic than indigenous children. CONCLUSIONS: Paraguayan children were remarkably hyperopic and relatively free of myopia. Differences with regard to gender, age, and ethnicity were small.

OBJETIVO: Caracterizar os erros de refração em crianças paraguaias com idades entre 5 e 16 anos e investigar efeito da idade, gênero e etnia. MÉTODOS: O estudo foi realizado em três escolas que atendiam crianças de etnia Menonita, indígena e mista. As crianças foram examinadas em relação à acuidade visual, autorrefração com e sem cicloplegia, e retinoscopia. Os dados foram analisados ​​para correção de miopia e hipermetropia (EE ≤-1 D ou -0,5D e ≥ 2D ou ≥3 D) e astigmatismo (cilindro ≥1 D). Valores equivalentes esféricos (EE) foram calculados a partir dos dados de autorrefração cicloplegiada do olho direito e analisados ​​por meio de modelagem linear geral. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliadas 190, 118 e 168 crianças de etnias Menonita, indígena e mista, respectivamente. Diferenças entre os valores de EE de olhos direitos e esquerdos não foram significantes. A acuidade visual (AV) sem correção foi melhor para Menonitas em relação às crianças da etnia indígena ou mista (olho direito: 0,031, 0,090 e 0,102 logMAR, respectivamente; P<0,000001). Houve 2 casos de miopia no grupo Menonita (1,2%) e 2 casos no grupo de etnia mista (1,4%) (SE ≤-0,5 D). A prevalência de hipermetropia (SE ≥2 D) foi de 40,6%, 34,2% e 46,3% para as etnias Menonita, indígena e mista. As taxas correspondentes de astigmatismo foram de 3,2%, 9,5% e 12,7%. As mulheres foram ligeiramente mais hipermétropes do que os homens, e o grupo de 9 a 11 anos de idade foi a mais hipermétrope. Crianças da etnia Menonita e mista se mostraram mais hipermétropes do que as crianças indígenas. CONCLUSÕES: As crianças paraguaias são notavelmente hipermétropes e relativamente livres de miopia. Diferenças com relação ao sexo, idade e etnia são pequenas.

Wavefront analysis in Asian-Brazilians.

PURPOSE: To compare the distribution of ocular higher order wavefront aberrations (third to sixth order) in the Brazilian population of Asian and non-Asian refractive surgery patients. METHODS: Preoperative refractive and wavefront data were reviewed for 648 eyes in 324 patients who underwent custom ablation at the Excimer Laser Santa Cruz refractive surgery center in São Paulo, Brazil, from March 2002 to July 2005. Patients were divided into two groups: Asian patients and non-Asian patients, based on family history. Statistical analysis was performed to assess the differences between the groups with respect to manifest refractive spherical equivalent, astigmatism, pachymetry, OPD-root-square-mean (RMS) for a 6.0-mm pupil, total wavefront aberrations, third- to sixth-order higher order aberrations, and individual aberrations. RESULTS: The mean spherical equivalent refraction in the Asian group of -4.38 diopters (D) was significantly higher than the spherical equivalent refraction of -3.46 D in the non-Asian group (t= -4.32; P=.00001). Comparison of the differences between groups with respect to higher order aberrations, coma, trefoil, quadrafoil, spherical aberration, higher order astigmatism, and pachymetry was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Asian patients have a higher prevalence of myopia than non-Asian patients. No differences were noted in higher order aberrations between Asian and non-Asian patients.