Visual acuity and refraction by age for children of three different ethnic groups in Paraguay.

Purpose: To characterize refractive errors in Paraguayan children aged 5-16 years and investigate effect of age, gender, and ethnicity.

Methods: The study was conducted at 3 schools that catered to Mennonite, indigenous, and mixed race children. Children were examined for presenting visual acuity, autorefraction with and without cycloplegia, and retinoscopy.