title: [Epidemiologic study of hyperopia in schoolchildren in Tunisia].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the epidemiological profile and the degree of severity of hyperopia in Tunisia primary school and to assess its effect on school performance.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional, descriptive survey was conducted among 6-14 aged Tunisian children attending primary urban and rural schools. A total of 6192 children were selected using stratified random cluster sampling. Cycloplegic refractive error was measured among all children with uncorrected visual acuity less than 9/10 or signs of astheniopia. Hyperopia was defined as spherical equivalent (SE) 2.0 diopters (D). We have also searched a possible relation between degree of severity of hyperopia and school performance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of hyperopia was 2.61%. The spherical equivalent mean was + 3.73 ± 0.94 D. The mean age was 9.67 ± 0.44 years. This prevalence was 2.77% in boys and 2.47% in girls. 3.13% of students were living in urban areas and 1.42% in rural areas. The hyperopia rate decreased significantly with age (p = 0.021), but it was not significantly related to gender (p=0.54). The difference in the prevalence of hyperopia between urban and rural areas was not statistically significant (p = 0.067). There was no significant association between the degree of severity of hyperopia and school performance (p=0.41).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our study, the prevalence of hyperopia among schoolage children in Tunisia was 2.61%.The identification of this refractive error and its correction as soon as possible would ensure these children better visual comfort and a better education.
authors: Ahmed
authors: A
authors: Chebil
authors: Lina
authors: L
authors: Jeddidi
authors: Nibrass
authors: N
authors: Chaker
authors: Fedra
authors: F
authors: Kort
authors: Mejda
authors: M
authors: Bouladi
authors: Leila
authors: L
authors: Largueche
authors: Rym
authors: R
authors: Limaiem
authors: Fatma
authors: F
authors: Mghaieth
authors: Leila
authors: L
authors: El Matri
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006956:Hyperopia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012574:Schools / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology