Prevalence and Pattern of refractive errors in children studying in municipal primary schools of west Delhi

Dr. Puneet Dhingra

Volume : VIII, Issue : V, May - 2019

Prevalence and Pattern of refractive errors in children studying in municipal primary schools of west Delhi

Dr. Puneet Dhingra

Abstract :

Objective:- To assess the prevalence and pattern of refractive errors in children studying in municipal primary schools of west Delhi. Material and Methods:- Children of both genders studying in class 1st to 5th under school screening programme underwent visual acuity assessment. Children with defective vision were further examined employing objective refraction using autorefractometer followed by streak retinoscopy after instilling cycloplegic eye drops. Children with any kind of refractive errors were evaluated and categorized according to refractive error. Results:- The prevalence of refractive error in primary school children in west Delhi was.... No significant difference in prevalence of refractive error between males and females was seen. Most common refractive error was myopia followed by astigmatism and hypermetropia. Conclusion :- Refractive error is one of the leading cause of treatable blindness in school age children. There is a need to have regular vision testing in schools for children and emphasis should be made on educating children and parents for using spectacles to easily eliminate this treatable cause of blindness.