Dhanya D1, S. Pandu2, Sujatha V3, Pallavi B. A4, Srinivas B5
INTRODUCTION
Refractive error is the most common cause of visual impairment around the world and the second leading cause of treatable blindness. Very early detection and treatment of visual impairment in children results in a reduction in the number of school children with poor sight being uncorrected.
AIM
To study the prevalence of uncorrected refractive errors among children of 7-15 years of age group.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 958 children of age group 7-15 years were examined during a time period of 1 year from June 2014 to May 2015.
The examination included visual acuity, slit lamp examination, auto refractometer, keratometry, A-Scan Biometry and fundoscopic examination. Patients were then taken to assess the refractive error under the cycloplegic effect of 1% homatropine by streak retinoscopy. Hyperopia was defined as spherical power of >+2.00 D, Myopia as <-0.50 D and astigmatism as cylindrical power of >-0.50 D.
RESULTS
Visual impairment (VA of 6/12 or worse in better eye) was present in 8.14% of the children examined. The prevalence of myopia, hypermetropia and astigmatism was 4.70%, 1.24%, 2.2% respectively, Myopia was commonly seen in older age group children.
CONCLUSION
Refractive error was the main cause of visual impairment in children between 7-15 years. Myopia was the most common refractive error particularly in older children. Uncorrected refractive errors among children have a considerable impact on learning and their academic achievement. Diagnosis and correction of refractive error is the most effective form of eye care. As it is an easily treatable cause of visual impairment, effective strategies should be developed to eliminate refractive error in children.
