Prevalence of Undetected Refractive Errors Among School Children Aged 5-10 Years

Abstract

Objective: To determine the undetected refractive errors and its association with different habits
among school children aged 5yr-10yr in public and private schools.
Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a total of 200 students of
class 1 to class 5, excluding those who were already wearing the glasses. Interviews using a
structured questionnaire and visual acuity using standard Snellen's chart were done. Children
with visual acuity less than 6/9 were marked as positive for refractive error.
Results: The results revealed that 72 out of 200 students (36%) had refractive errors, public
school 37.5% and private schools 62.5%.The study students had a mean age of 7 ±1.7years with
47% being females and 53% males. 116 students included in the study belonged to age group 5-7
years (58%) and 84 belonged to age group 8-10 years (42%). Statistically significant
association(p <0.05) was found among private schools between myopia and watching television
closely, over indulgence in video and computer games, studying by keeping the book at arm's
length and studying in dim light.
Conclusion: Myopia was the most common refractive error occurring among students
examined. A strong correlation was found between myopia and watching TV closely, studying in
dim light and over indulgence in playing video and computer games. It is recommended that eye
care services should be integrated in the schools and annual eye examination of all students
should be done to timely detect the presence of refractive errors.