Prevalence of refractive errors on a VOSH mission to Nicaragua.
BACKGROUND
Optometric services in many parts of the world are unavailable with a resultant lack of information on the epidemiology of visual problems in those countries as well.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis was conducted on the records of 3,281 patients seen on a VOSH mission to Nicaragua.


RESULTS
The mean spherical correction for each eye was a low hyperopic correction. For eyes having an astigmatism the mean cylinder correction was -1.00 and was usually oriented against the rule.


CONCLUSIONS
There was a lower incidence of myopia in this population than for many others that have been studied. There was also a need for a presbyopic correction at an earlier age than for Mid-European populations. A very large number of spectacles must be donated in order to get a sufficient supply for a successful VOSH mission.
Wingert
T A
TA
University of Missouri-St. Louis, School of Optometry 63121-4499.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005139:Eyeglasses; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009527:Nicaragua / Q000453:epidemiology; D009907:Optometry; D015995:Prevalence; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014838:Volunteers