AIM:To ascertain the pattern of ocular morbidity in a population of primary school children in rural Kenya as it is a prerequisite for planning effective preventive and therapeutic strategies.METHODS:A cross-sectional...AIM:To ascertain the pattern of ocular morbidity in a population of primary school children in rural Kenya as it is a prerequisite for planning effective preventive and therapeutic strategies.METHODS:A cross-sectional survey of ocular symptoms and clinical eye examinations were performed in a sample of 35 rural primary schools in the semi-arid region of Kajiado West sub-county in S.W.Kenya,amongst a seminomadic tribe(Maasai).Students in Grades 1-8 were included.Visual acuity was measured using the Snellen“tumbling E”chart at 6 m.Children with symptoms of refractive error underwent non-cycloplegic refraction.RESULTS:A total of 2036 children(1084 males)between the ages of 4-20y were examined.Conjunctival actinic changes were present in 22%(442/2036).Nine cases were seen with a potential squamous carcinoma.No overt classical ocular signs of vitamin A deficiency were noted,although 181(8.9%)children complained of nyctalopia.Three hundred thirty-six(16.5%)children had a visual acuity worse than 6/12 in either eye,were unable to read N10 near text at 40 cm or had symptoms suggestive of refractive error.Refractive data led to an estimate of hyperopia of+1.00 D or more in 3.9%and of myopia of-0.50 D or more in either eye in 3.0%of the study population.CONCLUSION:Solar exposure-and dust-related conjunctival pathology is common.As this may develop into potentially sight-or even life-threatening conditions,it warrants further study,and preventive strategies may be needed.Complaints of nyctalopia were common and could suggest vitamin A deficiency.The prevalence of refractive errors is low in this rural African population.展开更多
基金Supported by Vision International Eye Missions-USA,“One Drop for All”,Italy,and Private Donors in the Netherlands.
文摘AIM:To ascertain the pattern of ocular morbidity in a population of primary school children in rural Kenya as it is a prerequisite for planning effective preventive and therapeutic strategies.METHODS:A cross-sectional survey of ocular symptoms and clinical eye examinations were performed in a sample of 35 rural primary schools in the semi-arid region of Kajiado West sub-county in S.W.Kenya,amongst a seminomadic tribe(Maasai).Students in Grades 1-8 were included.Visual acuity was measured using the Snellen“tumbling E”chart at 6 m.Children with symptoms of refractive error underwent non-cycloplegic refraction.RESULTS:A total of 2036 children(1084 males)between the ages of 4-20y were examined.Conjunctival actinic changes were present in 22%(442/2036).Nine cases were seen with a potential squamous carcinoma.No overt classical ocular signs of vitamin A deficiency were noted,although 181(8.9%)children complained of nyctalopia.Three hundred thirty-six(16.5%)children had a visual acuity worse than 6/12 in either eye,were unable to read N10 near text at 40 cm or had symptoms suggestive of refractive error.Refractive data led to an estimate of hyperopia of+1.00 D or more in 3.9%and of myopia of-0.50 D or more in either eye in 3.0%of the study population.CONCLUSION:Solar exposure-and dust-related conjunctival pathology is common.As this may develop into potentially sight-or even life-threatening conditions,it warrants further study,and preventive strategies may be needed.Complaints of nyctalopia were common and could suggest vitamin A deficiency.The prevalence of refractive errors is low in this rural African population.
