PREVALENCE OF REFRACTIVE ERRORS IN SCHOOL CHILDREN AGED 6-15 YEARS
Main Article Content
Keywords
refractive errors, school children, myopia, prevalence, visual impairment
Abstract
Introduction: Refractive errors represent a major cause of visual impairment in school children globally, significantly affecting educational performance and quality of life. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of refractive errors among school children aged 6-15 years in Hapur district, Uttar Pradesh, India, and identify associated demographic risk factors.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2016 at Saraswati Institute of Medical Sciences, Hapur. Using multistage cluster sampling, 800 school children aged 6-15 years were recruited from government and private schools. Comprehensive ophthalmic examinations included visual acuity testing, cycloplegic refraction, and detailed ocular assessments. Refractive errors were defined as myopia ≤-0.50D, hyperopia ≥+1.00D, and astigmatism ≥0.75D. Statistical analysis was performed using appropriate tests with 95% confidence intervals.
Results: The overall prevalence of refractive errors was 17.0% (95% CI: 14.5-19.8%). Age-specific prevalence increased significantly from 8.7% in 6-8 years to 23.9% in 12-15 years age groups. Myopia was the predominant error (10.0%), followed by hyperopia (4.0%) and astigmatism (5.5%). Urban children showed significantly higher prevalence (20.2%) compared to rural children (12.8%, p=0.006). Females had slightly higher prevalence (18.6%) than males (15.5%). Most refractive errors (70-75%) were of mild degree across all categories.
Conclusion: Refractive errors affect one in six school children in the study area, with concerning age-related increases and urban-rural disparities. These findings emphasize the urgent need for systematic school-based vision screening programs and targeted interventions.
References
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Dr Rajeev Jain
Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Saraswati Institute of Medical Sciences, Hapur, Uttar Pradesh,