Prevalence of Refractive Error Among School Children in Lucknow District - An Eye Screening Camp In Government Schools, Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Refractive error is one of the most common causes of visual impairment around the world and the second leading cause of avoidable blindness. Hyperopia, Myopia and Astigmatism are the common types of refractive errors. This study aims to find out the pattern of Refractive error and other ocular co- morbidities among the children attending Government school in Lucknow district.

MATERIAL & METHODS: The present study was cross sectional. Children aged between 5-17 years attending Government schools’ rural areas of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India from June 2019 to December 2019 were included for the study & pattern of refractive errors was determined in children. The data was analyzed by using SPSS 23.

RESULT: The prevalence of refractive error in Government schools were 4.9%. The commonest types of refractive error were Myopia (72.73%) followed by Hyperopia (14.29%) and Astigmatism (13.99%). There was statistically significant association of type of refractive error with age (p= 0.000), Visual Acuity (p= 0.000), refractive error (p= 0.000) and +1.50DS clinical test (p=0.000). There was no statistically significant association with gender (p=0.210). The children in age group 13-17 years were having maximum numbers of refractive error (55.8%). Male students were diagnosed with refractive error more than female (57.14% and 42.85% respectively).

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of refractive error was 4.9% in Government school children of Lucknow district. Myopia was the commonest type of refractive error and was found more in 13-17-years age groups.