title: Ocular morbidity among orphanages.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The study assesses the spectrum of ocular morbidity and predictors of morbidity in children living in orphanages in the Kathmandu Valley.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was performed at 12 orphanages over a period of three months. The survey included a questionnaire and a complete eye examination, which included measurement of refraction, ocular deviation, and a fundus exam. Prevalence of ocular morbidity was calculated. Factors associated with ocular morbidity were examined using logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 660 children were included in the study (median age nine years [range 0.25-15]; 53% male). The prevalence of ocular morbidity was 17.9% (118). Of those with ocular morbidity, 88.1% (104) had similar ocular problems bilaterally. The most common type of morbidity was refractive error, found in 70.3% (83) of those with ocular morbidity (12.6% overall).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Refractive errors, which are largely correctable, are the greatest source of morbidity. In order to reduce childhood blindness, children living in orphanages are an appropriate group to target for future ocular screening in Nepal.
authors.affiliation: Tilganga Eye Centre, Kathmandu, Nepal. research@tilganga.com.np
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Shrestha
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Shrestha
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gurung
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Chansi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dhungana
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gurung
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ruit
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D054540:Child, Orphaned / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009390:Nepal / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D019372:Orphanages; D015995:Prevalence; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000453:epidemiology