Orthoptic Findings and Asthenopia in a Population of Swedish Schoolchildren Aged 6 to 16 Years

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of refractive errors and binocular disorders in relation to asthenopia in a representative population of Swedish schoolchildren. METHODS: The study population included 216 schoolchildren, 60 in grade 1 (age 6-7 years), 96 in grade 4 (10-12 years) and 60 in grade 8 (14-16 years). Asthenopia was evaluated by questionnaire. Visual acuity was tested for distance and near, uncorrected and with the best subjective refraction. Refraction in cycloplegia and an orthoptic assessment was performed. RESULTS: Asthenopia was reported in 23.1% of schoolchildren; all but two of these schoolchildren had an abnormal eye examination. Asthenopia was related to uncorrected visual acuity < or = 0.65 (13.9%*) and myopia (8.8%*). No significant correlation could be found to accommodative or convergence insufficiency. CONCLUSION: Asthenopia was significantly associated with uncorrected visual acuity < or = 0.65 and with myopia (spherical equivalent -0.50 D or less) among Swedish schoolchildren.