Prevalence of Comprehensive Eye Examination in Preschool Children With Eye Conditions.

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of comprehensive eye examinations in multiethnic preschool children, including children with visually significant eye conditions, and identify factors associated with comprehensive eye examinations. Methods: A sample of 9,197 African American, Hispanic, Asian American, and non-Hispanic White children aged 6-72 months was recruited for the Multi-Ethnic Pediatric Eye Disease Study from 2003 to 2011. Logistic regression performed in 2022 identified independent factors associated with parent-reported history of comprehensive eye examinations. The proportion of children with previous comprehensive eye examinations and the proportion with undetected amblyopia or strabismus were measured. Results: The prevalence of comprehensive eye examinations was 6.3% overall and 38.3%, 24.8%, 19.1%, 15.1%, and 9.8% among children with strabismus, amblyopia, significant anisometropia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, respectively. Children without prior comprehensive eye examinations were more likely to have undetected amblyopia or strabismus than those with comprehensive eye examination history ( Conclusions: Comprehensive eye examinations were uncommon among preschool children, including those with treatable vision disorders. Interventions, such as parent education and vision insurance, are needed to imaprove comprehensive eye examination access and utilization for at-risk preschool children.