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Review paper

Refractive errors in children: analysis among preschool and school children in Tuzla city, Bosnia and Herzegovina

By
Amra Nadarević Vodenčarević Orcid logo ,
Amra Nadarević Vodenčarević
Contact Amra Nadarević Vodenčarević

Eye Clinic, University Clinical Centre Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Meliha Halilbašić ,
Meliha Halilbašić

Eye Clinic, University Clinical Centre Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Anis Međedović ,
Anis Međedović

Eye Clinic, University Clinical Centre Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Vahid Jusufović ,
Vahid Jusufović

Eye Clinic, University Clinical Centre Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Adisa Pilavdžić ,
Adisa Pilavdžić

Eye Clinic, University Clinical Centre Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Aida Drljević ,
Aida Drljević

Medical Centre’’Plava Poliklinika’’ Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Mufid Burgić
Mufid Burgić

Al Emadi Hospital, Doha, Doha, Qatar

Abstract

Aim
To establish the prevalence of refractive errors in preschool and school children between 4 and 15 years of age, living in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Methods
Children from all elementary schools in the city of Tuzla and as well from eight day-care centres were screened for refractive errors in the period 2015-2019. Any child, who failed to pass the screening examination, was referred to an ophthalmologist for complete ophthalmological evaluation. The obtained data were analysed using non-parametric statistics.
Results
The highest number of children who were tested after the screening process was during 2015. A total of 7415 children
(3790 males and 3625 females), in the age range of 4-15 were screened. In the total sample of children who were completely evaluated (n=145; 290 eyes) the most common refractive error was astigmatism, in 152 (52.4%) eyes. In the preschool children (n=18; 36 eyes), the most common refractive error was astigmatism, in 19 (52.8%) eyes, followed by hyperopia, in 9 (25%) eyes. In the school children (n=127) (254 eyes), the most common refractive error was astigmatism, in 133 (52.4%) eyes, followed by myopia, in 92 (36.2%) eyes. The overall prevalence of refractive errors was 1.95% (145 with refractive error out of 7415 screened).
Conclusion
Prevalence of refractive errors is high enough to justify a school eye screening programme. 

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