[Prevalence of refractive errors in 7 and 8 year-old children in the province of Western Pomerania].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of refractive errors in 7 and 8 year-old schoolchildren in the province of Western Pomerania.


METHODS
140 pupils of elementary schools were examined. Measurements of visual acuity and retinoscopy after cycloplegia were carried out.


RESULTS
Prevalence of hyperopia, myopia, and astigmatism was 76.1%, 3.3% and 5.1%, respectively. No statistically significant differences between 7 and 8 year-old children were found.


CONCLUSIONS
1. There is a relatively high prevalence of refractive errors, with hyperopia prevailing, among 7 and 8 year-old schoolchildren. 2. Myopia in young children is a cause for concern an further studies. 3. High prevalence of refractive errors in children calls for systematic examination and focused interviewing by medical professionals of the school health care system.
Muszyńska-Lachota
Izabela
I
Zakład Higieny i Epidemiologii PAM al. Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szezecin.
Czepita
Damian
D
uczyńska
Violetta
V
Wysiecki
Przemysław
P
D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006956:Hyperopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009216:Myopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012572:School Health Services / Q000639:trends; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data