Prevalence of anisometropia and associated factors in Iranian children
Reviewed by Fiona Rowe

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anisometropia and the associated demographic and biometric risk factors in children. Data were taken from the first phase of the Shahroud Schoolchildren Eye Cohort cross-sectional study. From this phase, 5357 children were reviewed: 52.89% male, mean age 9.7 ±1.7 years. Prevalence of strabismus was 0.5% (n=28) of which 21 were exotropia, six esotropia and one dissociated vertical deviation (DVD). Intermittent strabismus was present in 21 cases and constant in seven cases. Mean anisometropia was 0.18D, median 0.13D. There was no significant difference for gender, age group or rural / urban environment. Prevalence of anisometropia was based on the definition of ≥1D and was present in 1.1% overall (1% for males and 1.3% for females). There was no significant difference for gender or rural / urban environment. Lowest prevalence was for six year olds and highest for 11 year olds. Prevalence of anisometropia overall was 0.4%. Mean anisometropia increased with rising average axial length asymmetry which was a significant association. Axial length was the most important biometric factor with anisometropia. There was a higher risk of amblyopia and strabismus in anisometropic eyes. The authors conclude that, overall, prevalence of anisometropia is low in Iranian children.

Prevalence of anisometropia and its associated factors in school-age children.
Hashemi H, Khabazkhoob M, Lanca C, et al.
STRABISMUS
2024;32(1):1–10.