Eye diseases in children in Southern Jordan.
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.
Maaita
Jamal F
JF
Department of Pediatrics, Royal Medical Services, PO Box 281, Karak, Jordan. monsamad@yahoo.com
Sunna
Linna F
LF
Al-Madani
Mousa V
MV
Horrani
Suhair M
SM
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