225365 Racial/ethnic differences in the presence of refractive errors among first-graders in Southern California

Tuesday, November 9, 2010 : 3:30 PM - 3:50 PM

Gergana Kodjebacheva, PhD, MA , Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Fei Yu, PhD , Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Faye Oelrich, CO , Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Anne L. Coleman, MD, PhD , Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Purpose: To investigate demographic factors associated with having refractive errors among children in the first-grade, a critical period of academic development. Methods: Ophthalmologists at the UCLA Mobile Eye Clinic examined the eyes of 87% of all first-graders in five schools in the Los Angeles area between 2000 and 2006. Myopia was defined as at least -0.75 dioptre (D) in each principal meridian. Hyperopia was defined as at least +1.25D in each principal meridian. Astigmatism was at least a 1-D difference between the two meridians. Results: A total of 2,286 children, consisting of 980 Latino, 691 non-Hispanic White, 179 African American, 146 Asian/Pacific Islander, and 290 Other children, participated. When controlling for age, gender, school, and academic year, Latino, African American, and Asian/Pacific Islander children were more likely to have myopia compared to non-Hispanic White children (logistic regression, Odds ratio (OR) for Latino children=3.38, Confidence Interval (CI)=1.85-6.17; OR for African American children=3.01, CI=1.31-6.94; OR for Asian/Pacific Islander children=4.24, CI=1.91-9.40). In adjusted analyses, Latino and African American children had increased odds of having astigmatism compared to non-Hispanic White children. Asian/Pacific Islander children had a lower likelihood of having hyperopia compared to non-Hispanic White children. Approximately 81% of the children with hyperopia lacked needed eyeglasses. Conclusions: Racial/ethnic differences in the prevalence of refractive errors exist. Most hyperopic first-graders do not have eyeglasses, which is a public health concern because untreated hyperopia may decrease academic achievement. The findings reinforce the need for vision screening interventions in younger children.

Learning Areas:
Epidemiology
Other professions or practice related to public health
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
To describe racial/ethnic differences in the prevalence rates of refractive errors in first-graders To list the prevalence of untreated hyperopia that may be associated with decreased academic achievement in children

Keywords: Child Health, Health Disparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I am the Principal Investigator of the study on Vision Health Among Children Examined by the UCLA Mobile Eye Clinic. My dissertation focused on children's vision conditions and care.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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