Ametropia among students in the Belait district of Brunei Darussalam
Sui Lian ON 1, Azimuddin Azim SIRAJ 1, Nayan JOSHI 2, Zakir Mohammed HOSSAIN 1, Nadir Ali Mohamed ALI 2, Imripan FRANCIS 2
1 Department of Ophthalmology, Suri Seri Begawan Hospital, Kuala Belait and 2 Department of Ophthalmology, RIPAS Hospital, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Uncorrected ametropia is one of the primary causes of visual impairment in children worldwide. It is potentially correctable but requires early detection. This study aims to determine the prevalence of ametropia among students aged between five and 17 years in the Belait district, Brunei Darussalam. Material and Methods: A survey of all school students in the district was done by School Health Services (SHS) nurses in a period of three years. An unaided visual acuity of 6/12 (20/40) or worse in one or both eyes was used as a cut-off point for referral to hospital optometrist. Retinoscopy, automated and subjective refraction, fundus evaluation and appropriate specialist referrals were performed for all referred children in the Eye Clinic of the Suri Seri Begawan Hospital, Kuala Belait District. Results: A total of 8,623 children were examined by SHS nurses. Out of those, 177 (2.06%) fulfilling the criteria for referral were identified and referred. Among referred children, Malay ethnicity was the commonest (76.3%) followed by Chinese (19.8%). Females out-numbered males (97:80). Simple Myopic-Astigmatism was the commonest refractive error encountered (46.89%) followed by Simple Myopia (17.5%), hypermetropic astigmatism (11.9%) and pure astigmatism (7.9%). The least common refractive error was hypermetropia (2.3%). Amblyopia was evident in only 3 children (1.7%). Conclusion: The prevalence of refractive errors among primary and secondary students in the Kuala Belait is 2.1%, and the most common refractive error was simple myopic astigmatism. This study reflects the need for continuous and regular School Health Service eye screening in order to detect those students who may suffer from significant refractive errors.
Keywords: Amblyopia ametropia, astigmatism, children, hypermetropia, myopia
Correspondence author: Sui Lian ON, Department of Ophthalmology, Suri Seri Begawan Hospital, Kuala Belait, Brunei Darussalam.
Tel: +673 885 4138, Fax: +673 333 3159, E mail: suilianon@moh.gov.bn
Brunei Int Med J. 2014; 10 (4): 193-200