Orthoptic findings and asthenopia in a population of Swedish schoolchildren aged 6 to 16 years.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of refractive errors and binocular disorders in relation to asthenopia in a representative population of Swedish schoolchildren.

METHODS

The study population included 216 schoolchildren, 60 in grade 1 (age 6-7 years), 96 in grade 4 (10-12 years) and 60 in grade 8 (14-16 years). Asthenopia was evaluated by questionnaire. Visual acuity was tested for distance and near, uncorrected and with the best subjective refraction. Refraction in cycloplegia and an orthoptic assessment was performed.

RESULTS

Asthenopia was reported in 23.1% of schoolchildren; all but two of these schoolchildren had an abnormal eye examination. Asthenopia was related to uncorrected visual acuity < or = 0.65 (13.9%*) and myopia (8.8%*). No significant correlation could be found to accommodative or convergence insufficiency.

CONCLUSION

Asthenopia was significantly associated with uncorrected visual acuity < or = 0.65 and with myopia (spherical equivalent -0.50 D or less) among Swedish schoolchildren.