title: Amblyopia screening in children in Bandar Abbas (Iran) during 2011-2012.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Amblyopia is an acquired defect of vision caused by abnormal visual experience that occurs during childhood. Since early diagnosis is important in preventing further irreparable effects, the aim of this study was to investigate the outcome of amblyopia screening in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from the amblyopia screening program in the Welfare Department of Bandar Abbas during 2011-2012 were used. Suspected cases were referred to specialists in the Optometry clinic for screening purposes. Subsequently, patients who suffered from strabismus, amblyopia, or refractive errors were referred to ophthalmologists. SPSS version16 was used to analyze the data. The significance level was set at P < 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 16,599 children examined in 2012, 2486 suspected cases of amblyopia were diagnosed and 168 being diagnosed with amblyopia after visit with ophthalmologist. The prevalence rate of amblyopia was 1.01%. In 2011, of 17,733 cases, 2013 children were diagnosed as suspected cases and 171 patients were diagnosed to be amblyopic finally.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of amblyopia in this study was 0.96% and 1.01% in years 2011 and 2012 respectively, which was consistent with the results of studies in other countries. By considering the importance of diagnosing the prevalence of amblyopia on time in preschool and in order to prevent children`s low vision or blindness in future, it is essential to increase the quality of the examinations that are conducted by the trainers.
authors.affiliation: M.Sc. Student of Health Education, Student Research Committee, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali Safari
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Moradabadi
authors.affiliation: MSc in Biostatistics, Research Center for Social determinants in Health Promotion Research Center, Faculty of Health, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
authors.forename: Amin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghanbarnejad
authors.affiliation: Eye specialist, Ophthalmic Research Center, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bani-Hashemi
authors.affiliation: M.Sc. student of Health Education, Hormozgan Fertility and Infertility Research Center, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
authors.forename: Leila Taghi
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Pourshoorijeh
authors.affiliation: Researcher of Social Sciences, Hormozgan Welfare organization, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehrdad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tofighi
authors.affiliation: Researcher of Social Sciences, Hormozgan Welfare organization, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
authors.forename: Tahereh
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zamzam
authors.affiliation: M.Sc. student of Health Education, Hormozgan Fertility and Infertility Research Center, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
authors.forename: Sakineh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dadipoor
keywords: Amblyopia; Refractive errors; Screening; Strabismus