SURVEYING THE CAUSES OF LOW VISION IN VIETNAM

Nguyễn Thị Thu Hiền, Trần Phương Anh, Phạm Thị Minh Châu

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Abstract

Objective: To survey the causes of low vision in Vietnam. Research methods: cross-section study with 886 patients (515 males, 371 females) participated from 2013 to 2016 in low vision unit in Vietnam National Eye Hospital, there were 478 children (mean age 9.23 ±3.2 years old) and 408 adults (mean age 29.71 ± 14.1 years old). Results: Causes of low vision included retinal diseases 27.2% (retinitis pigmentosa 46.4%, retinopathy of prematurity 15.8%, macular degeneration 14.5%...), lens-related disorders 24.3% (after cataract surgery: aphakia 44.2%, intraocular lens implants 40%...), refractive errors 16.7% (by myopia 63.5%...). However, there was a different contribution of low vision causes between children and adults. In children (≤ 15yrs), the leading causes were retinal diseases 28.2%, then refractive errors 20.5%, lens-related disorders 19.9%. But in adults (>15 yrs), lens diseases were the first rank at 29.4%, retinal diseases were the second at 26%, then refractive errors and optic nerve disease were 12.3%. Conclusion: The most common causes of low vision in Vietnamese patients were retinal diseases, lens-related disorders, refractive errors.

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References

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