Refractive Errors in Children from Three to Seven Years of Age fromthe Chapinero Locality in Bogota

Abstract

Measurement of refractive errors from an early age makes it possible to decide about whether ornot to prescribe optical correction, taking development, refractive error and age into account.Correction criteria are based on reference values, and in Colombia we use the parameters establishedby European and American schools resulting from population studies, due to the lack ofresearch on normal values. This paper presents partial results of a research carried out by a numberof professors from the Optometry program at La Salle University. <em><strong>Objective</strong><em> To determine refractiveerror reference values in children from three to seven years of age from the Chapinero Localityin Bogota. <em><strong>Methodology</strong><em> Reports show results for fifty children, based on inclusion criteria. Retinoscopywas performed under cycloplegia. The SPSS program was used for statistical analysis.<em><strong>Results</strong><em> Average refractive error in the group of three-years-olds was 0.63 D; 0.50 D in the groupof four and six-years-olds; and 0.25 D in the groups of five and seven-years-olds. <em><strong>Conclusions</strong><em> Ageis a very important demographic factor associated to refractive condition in children. Hyperopiais the most prevalent refractive condition in the analyzed sample.