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Category: Volume 06 Issue 06 June 2018
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Title: Errors of Refraction among School Children in an Urban School in North India

Authors: Asif Jasmine, Snober Yousuf, Rakshanda Aziz

 DOI:  https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i6.48

Abstract

Introduction

Children are the backbone of a country and the well being of a nation depends on the health and well being of its child. Refractive errors are a well established menace afflicting children and if left unattended, can lead to consequences of disastrous nature. Approximately 12.8 million children in the age group 5-15 years are visually impaired from uncorrected or inadequately corrected refractive errors1. Since refractive error is an avoidable cause of visual impairment, it becomes all the more imperative that this problem should be dealt with appropriateness. It has been proved that early correction of refractive error results in a reduction in the number of school children with poor sight2.

Many factors have been incriminated as contributory causes as far as refractive errors in children are concerned3. Alluring media influence like television, computer games and diminishing parental care etc have all been blamed from time to time .The effects of these refractive errors in children can be distressing. Children who have been affected cannot concentrate on studies thus severely affecting their academic performance4. It can be a potential cause of social maladjustment and may affect a child’s overall personality development5. They also find it difficult to indulge in extracurricular or recreational activities thus precluding their active participation (e.g in sports). This may greatly affect their overall growth as well as be a safety concern5.

Diagnosis and treatment of refractive errors is the simplest and most effective forms of eye care6. Since children usually do not complain of visual difficulties, early detection and prompt treatment of eye diseases is important to prevent vision problems and eye morbidities which could affect the various aspects of their growth as already described.

In consistence with the above facts, this study was carried out to find the prevalence of refractive status among school children in an urban school in North India.

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Corresponding Author

Snober Yousuf

Dept of Ophthalmology, Government Medical College, Srinagar, JK, India

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