title: Eye diseases in children in Southern Jordan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the prevalence of refractive errors and certain eye diseases in children in southern Jordan.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the period between May 2001 and April 2002, 1725 patients (6-14 years of age) visiting the Pediatric Clinics in Prince Ali Hospital, Jordan for non ophthalmologic complaints were tested by a pediatrician for their visual acuity (VA) using a Snellen's E-chart. Patients with suspected eye abnormalities and those with VA of < 6/12 were referred for further detailed eye examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve patients had bilateral VA of < 6/12, and an additional 5 patients had unilateral VA of < 6/12. Strabismus was seen in 9 patients (0.5%), and amblyopia in 5 patients (0.3%). Vernal keratoconjunctivitis was seen in 26 patients (1.5%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is important to conduct a large study, perhaps a multicenter study to evaluate the eye diseases in developing countries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Royal Medical Services, PO Box 281, Karak, Jordan. monsamad@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Jamal F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Maaita
authors.forename: Linna F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Sunna
authors.forename: Mousa V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Al-Madani
authors.forename: Suhair M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Horrani
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007597:Jordan; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000453:epidemiology; D013285:Strabismus / Q000453:epidemiology; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D014792:Visual Acuity