CORNEAL ASTIGMATISM IN AMERIND CHILDREN

Abstract

Keratometer measurements were made on 230 unselected Indian children in Northern Saskatchewan and 323 unselected Caucasian children in Kitchener, Ontario. It was found that the Indian children had significantly higher mean corneal astigmatism than the Caucasian children. Comparisons were also made with unselected Indian children in Brantford. Ontario; with unselected California children: with Caucasian and Maori children in New Zealand; with Caucasians in Winnipeg. Manitoba: and with Zuni Indian children in New Mexico. Genetic, cultural and nutritional factors are discussed as possible causes for the differences found.