Refractive errors: the major visual impairment in Thailand[NB]

Watanee Jenchitr; Supaluk  Raiyawa

Authors

Watanee Jenchitr RSU Eye Medical Center, Faculty of Optometry, Rangsit University, Patumthani 12000, Thailand
Supaluk Raiyawa Department of Ophthalmology, Udon Thani Hospital, Udon Thani 41000, Thailand

Keywords:

refractive errors myopia, hyperopia national survey of visual impairment, Thailand

Abstract

In Thailand, three national surveys of blindness were done in 1981, 1984 and 1994; the prevalence of blindness was shown to be 1.14%, 0.56% and 0.31%. Refractive errors were not included in the cause of blindness and low vision previously. In the fourth national survey of blindness, low vision and visual impairment in Thailand, conducted in 2006, refractive errors causing visual impairment were included in the questionnaire and eye examination. The survey was done by using the sample groups that were a stratified, cluster random sampling representing the whole country. A total of 42 districts from 21 provinces and Bangkok numbering 21,711 people (male 7,899, female 13,812), age ranges from 1 to 98 years, were enrolled in the study. For analysis of the survey data, national population census figures on July 1^st, 2006 were used. The results found that after age and sex adjustment, age and sex specific blindness and low vision prevalence (WHO definition) was 0.59% and 1.57%. For blindness, males : females were 1.03:0.29 but for low vision, females : males were 1.93:0.93. The estimated number of people classified as blind and low vision were 369,013 and 987,993, respectively. The most common visual impairment was refractive error without eye glasses. Estimated total population with refractive errors was 15,301,032 of which 101,602 were blind and 304,443 were classified as low vision. In conclusion, the prevalence of visual impairments increased with age. Uncorrected refractive errors were the most common cause of bilateral visual impairment across all decades of life, rising from 11% in <10 year-old age group to 27% in educated age group (20 year-old and less) and 49% in young working age group (21-40 year-old). In the 40-60 year-old age group, if presbyopia was excluded, the prevalence of refractive errors was 16% and increased to 26% in 61-70 year-old, 59% among those aged 70 years and older. Refractive error was the easiest and cheapest visual impairment to solve with the highest return on investment and increase in quality of life.

References

Attebo, K., Ivers, R. Q., & Mitchell, P. (1999). Refractive errors in an older population: the Blue Mountains Eye Study. Ophthalmology, 106(6), 1066-1072.

Chansawang, W., Jittanoon, P., & Sirirak, R. (2007). Visual acuity and visual behaviors among primary school children in Nakon Hatyai Municipality, Songkla Province. J Hlth Sc, 16, 361-367.

Chiamchaisri, Y., Kosrirukvongs, P., & Dumavibhat, P. (1991). Visual acuity in medical and nursing students. Thai J Ophthalmol, 5(2), 121-128.

Felson, D. T., Anderson, J. J., Hannan, M. T., Milton, R. C., Wilson, P. W., & Kiel, D. P. (1989). Impaired vision and hip fracture, The Framingham Study. J Amer Geriatrics Soc, 37, 495-500.

Foster, A., & Resnikoff, S. (2005). The impact of Vision 2020 on global blindness. Eye, 19:

-1135.

Foster, A., Gilbert, C., & Johnson, G. (2008). Changing patterns in global blindness: 1988-2008. Community Eye Health J, 21(67), 37-39.

Funarunart, P., Tengtrisorn, S., Sangsupawanich, P., & Siangyai, P. (2009). Accuracy of noncycloplegic refraction in primary school children in Southern Thailand. J Med Assoc Thai; 92(6): 806-812

Gullayanon, P. (2003). Healthy eye city. Thai J Pub Hlth Ophthalmol, 17 (1), 20-23.

Hanutsaha, P. (2003). Use in Thailand for early detection of diabetic retinopathy. Thai J Pub Hlth Ophthalmol, 17, 24-29.

Jala, S. (1997). Evaluation of refraction nurses in provincial and regional hospitals of Ministry of Public Health. In Committee of prevention of blindness. Second evaluation of Prevention of Blindness Program in Thailand: Kijseri Print, Lampang.

Jenchitr, W. (1996). Country report of Thai prevention of blindness program. Thai J Ophthalmol, 10(1), 63-71.

Jenchitr, W., Samaiporn, S., Wongvejsawat, S., Theerapanwat, S., Pruksanusak, V. & Anutaraangkul, W. (2001). Quality of vision and attitude of the Thai elderly toward their eye health. J Hlth Sc, 10(4), 607-614.

Jenchitr, W., Samaiporn, S., Jongwiriyanurak, T., Pothikamjorn, A., & Sukudom, P. (2004). The prevalence of glaucoma in a population-based study in Lampang. J of Hlth Sc, 13(2): 200-215.

Jenchitr, W., Samaiporn, S., Lertmemongkolchai, P., Chongwiriyanurak, T., Anujaree, P., Chayaboon, D. et al. (2004). Prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in relation to duration of diabetes mellitus in community hospitals of Lampang. J Med Assoc Thai, 87(11), 1321-1326.

Jenchitr, W., Harnutsaha, P., Iamsirithaworn, S., Parnrat, U., Choosri, C., & Yenjitr, C. (2007). The National survey of blindness, low vision and visual impairment in Thailand 2006-2007 (The first TVIP 2006-7). Thai J PBl Ophthalmol, 21(1), 10-85.

Kanok-Kantapong, S., & Sirorotskul, N. (1987). Visual screening and ocular finding in school children. Songkla Med J, 5(4), 375-379.

Klein, B. E., Klein, R., Lee, K.E., & Cruickshanks, K.J. (1998). Performance-based and self-assessed measures of visual function as related to history of falls, hip fractures, and measured gait time. The Beaver Dam Eye Study. Ophthalmology, 105(1), 160-164.

Lertchavanakul, A., & Chansue, C. (1985). Survey of eye abnormalities in primary school children in Bangkok. Chula Med J, 29(10), 1077-1082.

Mahachaikul, A., Sinpornchai, N., & Kunavisarut, S. (1997). The study of refractive state and strabismic prevalence in school children. Thai J Ophthalmol, 11(1), 1-7.

Muttamara, S. (1982). General health of primary school students in Bangkok. Report from Division of Health promotion, Bangkok. Unpublished article.

National Statistical Office (NSO). (2007). Report on 2005-2006 Survey of population change. Bangkok: National Statistical Office.

National GDP of Thailand. International Monetary Fund. (2009). World Economic Outlook.

Nitiapinyasakul, N., Nitiapinyasakul, A., & Tunya, C. (2004). Diabetic retinopathy screening in community hospitals. Thai J Ophthalmo, 18, 95-102

Parnrut, U., Choosri, P., Jenchitr, W., Anutrarangkool, W., Wongkittirux, K., Busayadilokskul, S., et al. (2004). Community Eye Health: School Eye Health in Thailand. IAPB NEWS 43(2), 6-7.

Patel, L. (2006). Impact of presbyopia on quality of life in a rural African setting. Ophthalmol, 113(5), 728-734.

Raiyawa S. (2007). Information of eye health care and manpower in Thailand. Thai J Pub Hlth Ophthalmol 21(1), 95-98.

Rasmidatta, S., Khunsuk-Mengrai, K., & Warunyuwong, C. (1998). Risk factors of diabetic retinopathy in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. J Med Assoc Thai 81, 169-174

Ratnavijarn, C., & Wangdeesirikul, K. (1984). Eye sight condition of Chulalongkorn university students. Chula Med J, 28(1), 31-42.

Rattanachu-ek, S. (1993). Abnormal vision in primary and secondary school students in Betong, Yala. Thai J Pub Hlth Ophthalmol, 7(1), 1-9.

Resnikoff, S., Pascolini, D., Etya’ale, D., Kocur, I., Pararajasegaram, R., Pokharel, G. P. et al. (2004). Global data on visual impairment in the year 2002. Bull World Health Org, 82, 844-851.

Resnikoff, S., Pascolini, D,, Mariotti, S. P., & Pokharel, G. P. (2008). Global attitude of visual impairment caused by uncorrected refractive errors in 2004. Bull World Health Org. Geneva, 86(1), 63-70.

Supapruksakul S. (1997). Prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in Trang Hospital. 12th Region Med J MOPH 8:39-48.

Tansirikongkol, V., & Konyama, K. (1981). Survey of visual function among school children in Bangkok. Transection APAO, 8, 800-810.

Taylor, H. R., McCarty, C. A., & Nanjan, M. B. (2000). Vision impairment predicts 5 year mortality. Tr Am Ophth Soc. 98, 91-99.

Tengtrisorn, S., Sangsupawanitch, P., & Chansawang, W. (2009). Cost effectiveness analysis of a visual screening program for primary school children in Thailand. J Med Assoc Thai. 92(8): 1050-1056.

The Eye Diseases Prevalence Research Group. (2004). The prevalence of refractive errors among adults in the United States, Western Europe, and Australia. Arch Ophthalmol, 122, 495-505.

Vu, H. T. V., Keeffe, J. E., McCarty, C. A., & Taylor, H. R. (2005). Impact of unilateral and bilateral vision loss on quality of life. Br J Ophthalmol, 89(3), 360–363.

Weale, R. A. (2003). Epidemiology of refractive error and presbyopia. Surv Ophthalmol, 48, 515-543.

West, S. K., Rubin, G. S., Broman, A. T., Munoz, B., Bandeen, R. K., & Turano, K. (2002). How does visual impairment affect performance on tasks of everyday life? The SEE Project: Salisbury Eye Evaluation. Arch Ophthalmol, 120(6), 774-780.

Wongvejsawasdi, S. (1994). Epidemiology of blindness and low vision in Thailand, Report of the second national evaluation of prevention of blindness program in Thailand. Kijseri, Lampang, Thailand, 27-40.

Worapong, A., Kupat, J., Tananuvat, N., Aree, P., & Wattananikorn, S. (2003). Survey of refractive errors among school children in Chiang Mai municipal areas. Chiang Mai Bull, 42(2), 53-60.

Wutthiphan, S. (2005). Guidelines for prescribing optical correction in children. J Med Assoc Thai, 88(S), 163-169.

Yingyong, P. (2010). Refractive errors survey in primary school children (6-12 year old) in 2 provinces: Bangkok and Nakhonpathom. J Med Assoc Thai, 93(10), 1205-1210.