Assessment of Visual Acuity and Associated Factors among 6–12-Year-Old Children Attending Shahid Dr. Aso Hospital in Sulaymaniyah City/Iraq

Abstract

Background: Childhood visual impairment is a major health issue that affects quality of life and academic achievement; these challenges may persist into adulthood. Objectives: To assess visual acuity (VA) status and associated factors among 6–12-year-old children. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at Shahid Dr. Aso Teaching Eye Hospital in Sulaymaniyah City, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, from December 2025 to March 2026. VA was measured using a Snellen E chart at 6 m in standard lighting conditions. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data about children’s age, gender, birth order, grade level, screen habit, reading habit, sleep habit and outdoor activity. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 24. Results: A total of 268 children with a mean age of 9.02 ± 1.88 years were included according to the inclusion criteria. Approximately two-thirds of the sample (62.7%) suffered from bilateral abnormal VA, nearly one quarter (23.9%) suffered from unilateral abnormal VA, and (13.4 %) had normal VA. A statistically significant association was seen between impaired VA and age, birth order, grade level, screen time, taking breaks during screen use, outdoor activity duration and bedtime. Conclusion: Abnormal visual acuity was highly prevalent among studied children and significantly associated with multiple factors. These findings underscore the need for early vision screening and healthy visual behaviors to prevent and detect visual impairment early.