The purpose of the study is to assess rate of hospitalization of children of early age in tertiary-level specialized ophthalmology center and its regional variability. The hospitalization records of children under 3 years of age for 2020–2024 were retrospectively analyzed. No exclusion criteria were applied. All children were comprehensively examined and treated surgically. The patients were assorted according to model of organization of ophthalmological care. The ophthalmology offices providing primary-level ophthalmic services are available in all cities and districts under Republican jurisdiction. The differences in hospitalization rates across cities and districts were evaluated using Pearson’s chi-square test (p ≤0.05). The overall hospitalization rate among children under age of 1 year, aged 1–2 years, and 2–3 years were 69.4±8.2, 73.3±8.5, and 1.2±0.6 per 10,000, respectively. The difference in hospitalization rates between children aged under 1 year and aged 1–2 years was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The hospitalizations among children aged 2–3 years were at low level (1.2±0.6 per 10,000, P=0.001). The gender differences were insignificant (32.8±2.0 per 10,000 in boys vs. 38.6±2.3 per 10,000 in girls, P=0.05). In separate age groups, gender differences in hospitalization rates persisted but had no statistical significance (P>0.05). The regional variability in hospitalization is affected by territorial proximity to ophthalmological care of tertiary-level, capacity of local ophthalmology services and population awareness of importance of timely medical consultation.

children, dacryostenosis, tertiary-level of ophthalmology service, regional variability..