Refractive Errors Among School Going Children in Srikakulam District, North Coastal Andhrapradesh

Abstract

Purpose : Avoidable blindness mainly due to uncorrected refractive errors is a major challenge to health care policy makers. School screening for refractive errors has been an useful programme to overcome this problem. The aim of the present study was to report the prevalence of refractive error among school children in srikakulam distict. Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out among 1682 school children between age group of 10-15 years under school screening programme. Results: the prevalence of refractive errors was found out to be 3.62%. the prevalence of refractive errors was more in female children (57.3%)when compared to male children(42.6%). The most common refractive error was found to be myopia(60.65%) followed by astigmatism(36%) followed by hypermetropia(3.27%). There is increased incidence of refractive errors in older age group 39.34% were present in 14-15 years of age. Conclusions: this study imparts screening of not only school going children but also all school aged children to treat refractive errors and prevent further complications by uncorrected refractive errors.