Increased incidence of potentially amblyogenic astigmatism in a pediatric population in a mexican border region

Purpose: To determine the incidence of amblyogenic astigmatism in a pédiatrie population in Nogales, Arizona/Sonoi a and compare it to an Anglo cohort. Methods: The Retinomax K plus ( Nikoi Corp., Melville, New York ) was used to screen 121 Hispanic children aged fiv; and six years at three different sites in metropolitan Nogales, Arizona/Sonora. Results: Ten of the 121 (8.3%) subjects had greater than or equal to 2.5 diopters ofrefractive cylinder in either eye. The rate of significant astigmatism was 9.8% (>/51) in the children were from Nogales, Arizona and 7.1% (5/70) of the children from Nogales, Sonora. There were no differences in the rate of astigmatism between the two groups which differed significantly in socioeconomic status. Compared to Anglo six year old children in New Brunswick (Woodruff, AJOPO, 1986), the rate of astigmatism greater than or equal to 2 5 diopters is significantly higher in this Hispanic population (chisquared=7 09, p=OOOS). Conclusions: There is a higher rate of refractive astigmatism greater than or equal to 2.5 di opters in Hispanic children compared to the rates reported in Anglo children in prior studies. Screening efforts in this population should reflect this fact.