Causes of visual impairment: a retrospective study in Macedonian children

Background: Reliable data on the prevalence and causes of visual impairment in children are necessary for developing a systematic vision screening program with valid and reliable test protocols. Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence, main causes, and associated factors of visual impairment among Macedonian children aged 0–18 years. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the clinical record of 829 children, attending the department of ophthalmology from October 2013 to October 2018. The following variables were investigated: age, gender, and diagnosis. Results: The prevalence of visual impairment was statistical significance higher in girls than in boys (p