Prevalence of xerophthalmia among children in Beheira governorate, Egypt.

A survey was conducted on a sample representative of the entire Beheira governorate to identify high-risk areas of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and assess xerophthalmia prevalence. The study also tested the reliability of a household cluster survey for assessing xerophthalmia prevalence. A trained ophthalmologist examined 10,664 children. The results showed that VAD was present in the region, but did not appear to be a public health problem. Ocular signs of VAD were more prevalent among older children, suggesting an improvement in socioeconomic conditions and health care over the past few years. The household cluster survey appeared to be a reliable method for assessing xerophthalmia prevalence in the region.