Aim: To study the various types of refractive errors in different age groups of patients attending the out patient department of a general hospital. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective cross sectional study conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology of Gandhi hospital attached to Gandhi medical college, Hyderabad. The study period was from January 2014 to June 2014. Out of 12600 out patients 3618 had refractive errors. Patients from 0 to 50 years who were having refractive errors were included in the study. Patients having eye diseases, who had undergone any eye surgery including cataract or injury to the eye and Presbiopic patients were excluded from the study. Informed consent was obtained from all patients included in the study. All patients were examined by an experienced Ophthalmologist using Snellens chart, Pin hole, slit lamp, direct and indirect Ophthalmoscopes, Auto–refractometer, Streak retinoscope, Trial set of lenses. Children below 14 years were subjected to Cycloplegic refraction using 1% Cyclopentolate eye drops . Streak retinoscopy was done to determine the refractive errors objectively. They were called back after 24 hours for PMT. Patients above 14 years were tried glasses subjectively using Auto–refractometer readings Results:Out of 12600 patients attending out patients 3618 had refractive errors. 1464 were males 2154 were females. 1908 were myopes, 924 were hypermetropes and 786 were having astigmatism. Conclusion: 12600 Patients attending Ophthalmic OP 3618(28.72%) had refractive errors. 1908 (52.74%) were myopes, 924 (25.54%) were hyperopes and 786(21.72%) were having Astigmatism