A comparative study of regional variations in common visual impairments among school-age children

Purpose: This study aims to examine the incidence and age-related prevalence of eye conditions among schoolage children living in Moscow Region (Russian Federation) and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). Methods: The study sample includes 573 visually impaired children aged 7-17 years (13.85 +/- 1.24 years) in Russian Federation and 600 children (13.78 +/- 1.11 years) in Saudi Arabia. Results: Myopia in Russian Federation was with a prevalence rate of 35.6%, followed by astigmatism (21.3%), strabismus (16.2%), conjunctivitis (13.6%), hyperopia (10%). The incidence of visual impairment was lower for children from Saudi Arabia compared to Russian Federation (OR=1.01, 95% CI [0.85-1.17] in 2018, OR=0.93, 95% CI [0.83-1.03] in 2022 in Saudi Arabia and OR=1.36, 95% CI [1.25-1.47] in 2018 vs. OR=1.33, 95% CI [1.23-1.43] in 2022 in Russian Federation). In Saudi Arabia, myopia occurred in 10% of cases at 7-10 years, 20% at 11-13 years, and 25% at 14-17 years. Conclusion: The satisfactory state of the health system in Saudi Arabia compared with Russian Federation has resulted in a lower incidence of visual diseases among children. The possible causes of the myopia prevalence are worse medical system in the Russian Federation compared to Saudi Arabia, and climate in both countries.