JAMA Ophthalmology
Volume 133, Issue 12, 2015, Pages 1399-1406

Population prevalence of need for spectacles and spectacle ownership among urban migrant children in Eastern China (Article) (Open Access)

Wang X. , Yi H.* , Lu L. , Zhang L. , Ma X. , Jin L. , Zhang H. , Naidoo K.S. , Minto H. , Zou H. , Rozelle S. , Congdon N.
  • a Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Division of Preventive Ophthalmology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, China
  • b Center for Chinese Agricultural Policy, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Rd, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China
  • c Shanghai Ophthalmic Treatment and Prevention Hospital, Shanghai, China
  • d Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Division of Preventive Ophthalmology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
  • e China Center for Health Development Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China, Stanford Center for International Development, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
  • f Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Division of Preventive Ophthalmology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
  • g Center for Chinese Agricultural Policy, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Rd, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
  • h African Vision Research Institute, University of Kwa Zulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa, Brien Holden Vision Institute, Durban, South Africa
  • i Brien Holden Vision Institute, Durban, South Africa
  • j Shanghai Ophthalmic Treatment and Prevention Hospital, Shanghai, China, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
  • k Stanford Center for International Development, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
  • l Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Division of Preventive Ophthalmology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China, Translational Research for Equitable Eyecare, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom, Orbis International, New York, NY, United States

Abstract

Importance The number of urban migrants in China is 300 million and is increasing rapidly in response to government policies. Urban migrants have poor access to health care, but little is known about rates of correction of refractive error among migrant children. This is of particular significance in light of recent evidence demonstrating the educational impact of providing children with spectacles. OBJECTIVE To measure prevalence of spectacle need and ownership among Chinese migrant children. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Population-based, cross-sectional study among children who failed vision testing (uncorrected visual acuity≤6/12 in either eye) between September 15 and 30, 2013, at 94 randomly selected primary schools in predominantly migrant communities in Shanghai, Suzhou, andWuxi, China. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Refractive error by cycloplegic refraction; spectacle ownership, defined as producing glasses at school, having been told to bring them; and needing glasses, defined as uncorrected visual acuity of 6/12 or less correctable to greater than 6/12 in either eye, withmyopia of-0.5 diopters (D) or less, hyperopia of +2.0 D or greater, or astigmatism of 0.75 D or greater in both eyes. RESULTS Among 4409 children, 4376 (99.3%) completed vision screening (mean [SD] age, 11.0 [0.81] years; 55.3%boys; 4225 [96.5%] migrant and 151 [3.5%] local). Among 1204 children failing vision testing (total, 27.5%; 1147 migrant children [27.1%] vs 57 local children [37.7%]; P =.003), 850 (70.6%) completed refraction. Spectacle ownership in migrant children needing glasses (147 of 640 children [23.0%]) was less than among local children (12 of 34 children [35.3%]) (odds ratio = 0.55; 95%CI, 0.32-0.95; P =.03). Having uncorrected visual acuity less than 6/18 in both eyes was associated positively with baseline spectacle ownership (odds ratio = 5.73; 95%CI, 3.81-8.62; P <.001), but parental education and family wealth were not. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Among urban migrant children, there was a high prevalence of need for spectacles and a very low rate of spectacle ownership. Spectacle distribution programs are needed specifically targeting migrant children. © 2015 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

urban population urban area China Chinese vision test Eyeglasses physiology visual acuity spectacles human statistics and numerical data astigmatism health service controlled study refraction error priority journal Myopia randomized controlled trial Refractive Errors hypermetropia Refraction, Ocular Vision Tests Health Services Needs and Demand Cross-Sectional Studies Surveys and Questionnaires school child migrant cross-sectional study Humans male female questionnaire prevalence Article organization and management Ownership major clinical study migration utilization eye refraction Transients and Migrants Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84964986201&doi=10.1001%2fjamaophthalmol.2015.3513&partnerID=40&md5=a758a945fcc38fbf07330cdca76e4efb
DOI: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2015.3513
ISSN: 21686165
Cited by: 16
Original Language: English