Analysis of different type of Refractive Errors in Primary School Children at tertiary hospital

Dr Apurva Suthar; Dr Kishan Makawana

Volume : VII, Issue : II, February - 2018

Analysis of different type of Refractive Errors in Primary School Children at tertiary hospital

Dr Apurva Suthar, Dr Kishan Makawana

Abstract :

Introduction: Approximately 12.8 million children in the age group 5-15 years are visually impaired from uncorrected or inadequately corrected refractive errors, estimating a global prevalence of 0.96%. Uncorrected refractive errors are responsible for up to 42% of the cases of visual impairment worldwide,and remain prevalent even in high income countries.

Objective: To assess the patern of refractve errors in primary school children at our hospital. Our study aims at evaluating the pattern of refractive errors in school age children in our hospital.

Method: All school going children of both genders aged 5 to 16 years attending the eye OPD of a tertiary care teaching hospital, under the school screening programme underwent visual acuity assessment and all other basic eye investigations. The present study is descriptive cross sectional study. All the primary school children attending the eye OPD of a tertiary care hospital for six month under the school health screening programme were included in the study.

Observations: A total of 846 children between 5 and 16 years of age were included in the study. Out of these 55% were males and 45.0% were females. Of the total 108 children with refractive error, myopia was present in 37.8% cases, hypermetropia in 7.9% and astigmatism in 54.3% cases.

Conclusion: Correction of refractive errors in early childhood impacts significant effect in health of individual and growth of nation in future. Improved utilization of existing eye care services and a public-private partnership in strengthening the health services is required.