Geetha Periasamy, Harivanzan Vijayakumar, Shakila Arulprakasam
BACKGROUND Uncorrected and undetected refractive error is an avoidable cause of visual impairment. Refractive error is one of the leading causes of visual disability in children which can lead to childhood blindness. The aim of the study is to study the prevalence of refractive error among school going children between 7-15 years of age. MATERIALS AND METHODS A descriptive, cross sectional study was carried out on 100 school children (7-15 years of age) attending Regional Institute of Ophthalmology and Government Ophthalmic Hospital, Chennai during the period April 2017 to September 2017. They were screened and examined for refractive error as per basic standards. RESULTS Out of total 100 children included in the study, 92 of them had refractive errors, out of which 53 were males and 39 were females respectively. Out of the total participants, 25% had hypermetropia, 14% had hypermetropic astigmatism, 12% had myopia, 41% had myopic astigmatism and 8% were emmetropic. Mean age of hypermetropia was 9 years, hypermetropic astigmatism was 9.29 years, myopia was 11.67 years and myopic astigmatism was 10.46 years. Pearson correlation analysis was done. Watching TV was negatively correlated with reading hours i.e., as the usage of television increases, reading hours decreases; was statistically highly significant. As the usage of television increases, the uncorrected visual acuity increases in both eyes which was statistically highly significant. Using cell phones was negatively correlated with reading hours i.e., as the usage of cell phone increases, reading hours decreases which was statistically highly significant. As the usage of cell phones increases, the uncorrected visual acuity increases in both eyes which was statistically highly significant. Uncorrected visual acuity had negative correlation with reading hours which means, there was decrease in vision, the reading hours also decreases. Early detection and treatment of refractive error is necessary. CONCLUSION Screening helps in early detection and timely intervention of refractive errors which prevents amblyopia which is one of the leading cause of avoidable blindness.
