Citation

Kemper AR, Wallace DK, Zhang X, Patel N, Crews JE. J. Adolesc. Health 2012; 50(6): 645-647.

Affiliation

Department of Pediatrics and the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jadohealth.2011.10.012

PMID

22626494

Abstract

PURPOSE: To describe uncorrected distance visual impairment (VI). METHODS: We conducted an analysis of the 3,555 adolescents aged 12 through 21 years who participated in the 2005-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Distance VI was defined as 20/40 or worse in the better-seeing eye. Data were weighted to represent the civilian noninstitutionalized population. RESULTS: Overall, 12.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.7%-14.1%) had distance VI, which was correctable to 20/30 or better in both eyes in 86.1% (95% CI: 83.6%-89.5%). The prevalence was higher among those who reported not having corrective lenses available (44.3%) compared with those who reported that they did not need them (8.5%) or who had them available (5.2%; p < .001). After adjusting for potential confounders, those who were 12 or 13 years of age had 2.27 (95% CI: 1.32-3.90) greater odds of distance VI than older adolescents, and the odds of distance VI were greater among non-Hispanic blacks (1.66 [95% CI: 1.11-2.48]), Hispanics (1.96 [95% CI: 1.35-2.84]), or other race/ethnicities (2.06 [95% CI: 1.19-3.57]) than among non-Hispanic whites. CONCLUSIONS: More than 1 in 10 adolescents had uncorrected distance VI. To address this, interventions should address case detection, access to eye care, and adherence with corrective lenses.

Language: en