[An exhaustive study of the frequency of vision disorders in children 5-18 years of age at a Lebanese school].

From October 1995 to June 1996, 935 children (439 boys and 496 girls) aged between 5 and 18 years old (mean 11.6 years) were examined in their school in Saida (Lebanon) for visual disorders. All examinations were conducted by the same investigator (MK) and consisted of an evaluation of both external oculomotricity and visual acuity (VA) for far vision only. Sixty-five children were examined twice to check the validity of the results. The children were classified into two groups according to the findings: -Normal: children with VA above 14/20 degrees (the two eyes being equal or differing by less than 4/20 degrees) and normal oculomotricity. -Abnormal: children with VA below 14/20 degrees and/or oculomotricity disorder. Seventy percent of the ametropic group were unaware of their visual defect which can lead to the development of amblyopia. This is of importance, because the longer treatment for amblyopia is delayed, the lower the chance of complete recovery. We hope that this study will stimulate other studies, including those addressing all children over two years old, and that this in turn will lead to measures to improve the ocular health of the population.