A Cross–Sectional Study on Prevalence of  Refractive Errors among Primary School  Children in Udupi Taluk, Karnataka

Sriram Chandramohan; Jain Raj. R; Samantha Sivaswamy.S; Jyothi Lakshmi.S; Nivedita .J

Volume : III, Issue : IV, April - 2014

A Cross–Sectional Study on Prevalence of Refractive Errors among Primary School Children in Udupi Taluk, Karnataka

Sriram Chandramohan, Jain Raj. R, Samantha Sivaswamy. S, Jyothi Lakshmi. S, Nivedita . J

Abstract :

Background: Refractive Error is an avoidable cause of visual impairment. Diagnosis and Treatment of refractive errors is the simplest and most effective forms of eye care. Aims & Objective: To study the prevalence of refractive errors, among school children. Materials & Methods: This was a Cross-sectional study conducted in a government primary school in Udupi Taluk, Karnataka. The distant vision of a child was tested utilizing Snellen\'s chart. The visual acuity was tested with the chart at 6 meters. If uncorrected vision was <6/12 in either eye, the child was declared to have defective vision. Results: Among 109 students screened 10 (9%) had refractive error in both eyes and 16 (14.6%) had only in left eye and 18 (16.5%) only in right eye. Conclusion: The study clearly indicates the prevalence of refractive errors among school going children in rural Thiruvallur District, Tamilnadu. The awareness among school teachers should also be improved and they should play an active role in identifying the refractive errors and referring them for timely management. Periodic screening of school children is very essential to improve the quality of eye-sight.