Visual impairment and use of eye care services among U.S. children

Visual impairment (VI) is an important cause of developmental disability among children. Untreated eye conditions can have long-term implications for a child's quality of life. Data from the 2000-2006 National Health Interview Survey and the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were examined. Analysis was conducted using SUDAAN to account for the complex survey designs.

In 2006, the prevalence of reported VI among children aged <18 years was 2.5%. There were no significant changes in prevalence of VI between 2000 and 2006. Among children 6-17 years, 12.7% were not able to read the board from the back of the classroom. The prevalence of VI caused by uncorrected refractive errors among children 12-17 years was 14.4%.

About 20.7% of children aged <18 years had visited an eye-care provider during the past 12 months; among children <6 years, about 36% have ever had a vision test. About 2.4% of parents reported inability to buy eyeglasses for a child who needed eyeglasses during the past 12 months.

Children with VI were likely to be older (6-17 years), male, black, and from families with incomes <200% of federal poverty level. The lack of health insurance and low family income were associated with under-use of eye care services.

Vision examinations can help to diagnose eye conditions in their early treatable stages. These findings present national data on child vision health and may be useful in aiding health professionals and policy makers in preventing or reducing VI.