Assessment of the Prevalence of Refractive Error among School Children (6-16 Years) of Rural Field Practice Area of Kims, Malkapur, Karad

Authors

  • Ankitkumar Bhopalka1 , B.S. Joshi2 , V.H. Karambelkar3

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v14i3.10358

Keywords:

Refractive error, prevalence, myopia, astigmatism, Hypermetropia ,Screen exposure time.

Abstract

Introduction: Refractive errors are among vital causes of visual disability globally and second principal

cause of preventable blindness. Refractive errors among school children remains unnoticed which have

an impact on overall development of child. This study has been undertaken to estimate the prevalence of

refractive errors among school going children (6- 16 years).

Materials and Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in schools of Karad from October 2017

to May 2019. Sample size was determined to be 750. School Going Children of age 6-16 years of selected

schools in the rural field practice area of KIMS, Karad fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria were

screened on school visit. All suspected students were called to Out Patient Department and subjected to

Snellen’s chart, pin-hole test, torch light examination, slit lamp examination, manual refractrometry, direct

and indirect ophthalmoscopy and cyclopegic refraction (retinoscopy followed by post mydriatic test) to

detect refractive error in children. A questionnaire was structured to gather relevant information from the

students.Data was collected from the students after informed consent.

Results: Prevelance of Refractive Errors was 8.4%. Most frequent refractive error found was Myopia

(60.3%) followed by Astigmatism (23.8%) and Hypermetropia (15.9%) . It shows that only 20.63% students

were wearing spectacles whereas remaining 79.37% students were unaware of their problems.

Conclusion: Visual impairment due to refractive error should be addressed as early as possible, which is

attainable only by screening at initial age and hence early recognition and management.

Author Biography

  • Ankitkumar Bhopalka1 , B.S. Joshi2 , V.H. Karambelkar3

    1 Resident, 2Associate Professor, 3Professor And Head of Department, Department of Ophthalmology, Krishna

    Institute of Medical Sciences deemed to be University, Karad, Maharashtra, India

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Published

2020-07-30

How to Cite

Assessment of the Prevalence of Refractive Error among School Children (6-16 Years) of Rural Field Practice Area of Kims, Malkapur, Karad. (2020). Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, 14(3), 228-232. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v14i3.10358