Amblyopia screening for first and second-grade children in Jordan
Authors:   Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Mutah University, Al-Karak 11183, Jordan, Al-Salem Khalil M. , Ereifej Ismat ,   Royal Medical Services Department of Ophthalmology, Amman 11855, Jordan, Alrawashdeh Hamzeh M. ,   Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Al-Sharif Eye Center, Amman 11194, Jordan, Obeidat Rayed Falah Hussein ,   Jordanian Menistrery of Health, Irbid, Amman 11855, Jordan, Abdlmohdi Asma Ali ,   National Woman's Health Care Center (NWHCC), Amman 11855, Jordan, Al-Momani Raeda Zaki ,   National Woman's Health Care Center (NWHCC), Amman 11855, Jordan, Hammad Layal Mohammed ,   National Woman's Health Care Center (NWHCC), Amman 11855, Jordan, al-Habahbeh Omar Ahmad ,   Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Al-Sharif Eye Center, Amman 11194, Jordan, Assassfeh Yaqeen M. ,   Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Mutah University, Al-Karak 11183, Jordan, Al-Qsous Laith Ramzi Najib ,   Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Mutah University, Al-Karak 11183, Jordan, Nasraween Ashraf Hatim Adeeb ,   Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Mutah University, Al-Karak 11183, Jordan, AlMaaitah Tariq A. ,   Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Mutah University, Al-Karak 11183, Jordan, Aqeel Deya'-Aldin Muneer Hasan ,   Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Mutah University, Al-Karak 11183, Jordan, Alabdulrazzg Ibtehal Eyadeh Awad ,   Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Mutah University, Al-Karak 11183, Jordan, Murad Abdullah Mahmoud Mohammad ,   Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Mutah University, Al-Karak 11183, Jordan, AL-Zurqan Amany Jehad Faleh ,   Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Mutah University, Al-Karak 11183, Jordan, Jaradat Enas Jamal Mohammad ,   Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Mutah University, Al-Karak 11183, Jordan, Aldhoon Slsabela Emad Suliman ,   Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Mutah University, Al-Karak 11183, Jordan, Dmour Ala'a Majed ,   Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Mutah University, Al-Karak 11183, Jordan, Asassfeh Ahmad Talal ,   Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Mutah University, Al-Karak 11183, Jordan, Halaseh Jeries Ayman ,   Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Mutah University, Al-Karak 11183, Jordan, Daoud Abdel Aziz Ammar ,   Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Mutah University, Al-Karak 11183, Jordan, Alkasasbeh Waha Ayman ,   Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Mutah University, Al-Karak 11183, Jordan, Matar Kholoud GH. ,   National Woman's Health Care Center (NWHCC), Amman 11855, Jordan
Published: January 2022

AIM: To share the results of a national screening program for amblyopia in school children in the north of Jordan.
METHODS: This is a prospective national screening study for amblyopia. The program rolls first and second-grade children (6 to 7 years old) in the north of Jordan. The eye examination included: best-corrected visual acuity, cover-uncover test, and cycloplegic retinoscopy. Monocular visual acuity was tested using an ETDRS visual acuity chart without correction. Moreover, children were tested with full cycloplegic refraction when the test criteria were met. Unilateral amblyopia was defined as a best-corrected visual acuity difference of 2 or more lines. In comparison, bilateral amblyopia was defined as a best-corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or worse in the best eye.
RESULTS: The prevalence of amblyopia for the total sample tested (n=17 203) was 2.78% (n=479). The most common cause of amblyopia was hypermetropia (64.45%), followed by previous ocular surgeries (15.1%), myopia (10.43%), strabismus (9.39%), and congenital cataract (0.63%).
CONCLUSION: This is the first and only study, identi?ng modifiable risk factors in Jordanian children with amblyopia. In their first couple of years of elementary education, many Jordanian children are affected by amblyopia and pass unnoticed. A more governmental effort is needed into screening programs to improve vision in the Jordanian population.