Abstract
The objective of this paper was to study the epidemiology of blindness, low vision and eye diseases
in Thai children population by analysis the secondary data of surveyed sample aged 1-14 years totally
2,743 cases in the First Thai Visual Impairment Project 2006-2007. The surveyed data weighted on the
basis of stratified cluster random sampling represent the whole country was collected in 22 provinces.
The study found that the prevalence of blindness and low vision were 0.11% and 0.21% respectively.
The estimated number of blindness and low vision in Thai children population were 13,101 cases and
26,670 cases respectively. The causes of blindness were retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) 66.67% and amblyopia from uncorrected high myopia (-9.00 diopter both eye) 33.33%. The causes of low vision were
amblyopia from uncorrected high myopia (-6.00 and -11.00 diopter both eye) 28.55%, cortical blindness,
congenital cataract, optic atrophy, corneal disorders and congenital nystagmus 14.29% each. Top five of
eye diseases with visual impairment were refractive error 19.36%, strabismus 1.24%, amblyopia 0.36%,
cataract 0.25% and eyelid disorders 0.22%. Top five of eye diseases without visual impairment were glaucoma
suspect 0.73%, allergic conjunctivitis 0.22% and nasolacrimal duct obstruction, epiretinal membrane,
pterygium, retinitis pigmentosa 0.12% each.
Thus the Ministry of Public Health and the Department of Medical Services who have the responsibility
to take care the health of the population, should have the effective policy and strategy to reduce the
prevalence of childhood blindness and low vision. The comprehensive projects cover early detection,
proper intervention and referral system for complicated cases with participation of the community were
the key of success factors.
