Prevalence of astigmatism in native american infants and children

Erin M. Harvey, Velma Dobson, Candice E. Clifford-Donaldson, Tina K. Green, Dawn H. Messer, Joseph M. Miller

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Scopus citations

Abstract

PURPOSE. To describe the prevalence of high astigmatism in infants and young children who are members of a Native American tribe with a high prevalence of astigmatism. METHODS. SureSight autorefraction measurements were obtained for 1461 Tohono O'odham children aged 6 months to 8 years. RESULTS. The prevalence of astigmatism >2.00 diopters was 30% in Tohono O'odham children during infancy (6 months to <1 year of age) and was 23 to 29% at ages 2 to 7 years. However, prevalence dipped to 14% in children 1 to <2 years of age. At all ages, axis of astigmatism was with-the-rule (plus cylinder axis 90° ± 30°) in at least 94% of cases. CONCLUSIONS. As in non-Native American populations, Tohono O'odham infants show a high prevalence of astigmatism, which decreases in the second year of life. However, the prevalence of high astigmatism in Tohono O'odham children increases by age 2 to <3 years to a level near that seen in infancy and remains at that level until at least age 8 years. Longitudinal data are needed to determine whether the increase in high astigmatism after infancy occurs in infants who had astigmatism as infants or is due to the development of high astigmatism in children who did not show astigmatism during infancy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)400-405
Number of pages6
JournalOptometry and Vision Science
Volume87
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2010

Keywords

  • Astigmatism
  • Children
  • Infants
  • Native American
  • Prevalence

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ophthalmology
  • Optometry

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