Title: Prevelance of Eye Diseases in Primary School Students in Nagrota
Authors: Dr Vijayta Gupta, Dr. Ridham Nanda
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i7.139
Abstract
Aim: The study measured the prevalence of eye diseases in primary school children between 5 to 12 years of age.
Material and Methods: Cross-sectional and observational study was carried in June 2017 on students of classes 1st to 5th of Kendriya Vidhyalaya, Nagrota. A short talk on eye health was given to the children before the eye examination.
After obtaining verbal informed consent from parents and school heads, visual acuity with snellen’s chart, colour vision with ishiara chart, diffuse torch light examination of anterior segment of eye and fundus examination using direct ophthalmoscope in undialated pupil in students was carried out in all available and eligible students aged 5-12 years.
Results: Out of 530 students, there were 307 (57.2%) males and 223 (42.075%) females. Out of 530 children, the prevalence of ocular morbidity was 17.54% (93 children). The most common causes of ocular morbidity were refractive error in 66 (12.45%) children and conjunctivitis in 14 (2.64%) children. Other causes of ocular morbidity were strabismus and chalazion- 3 children each (0.56% each), color blindness, amblyobia- 2 children each (0.38%). Stye, ptosis and corneal scar (due to ocular trauma) was seen in 1 student each (0.18%). 87.16% students had vision 6/6.Out of refractive errors, 33.33% students had vision 6/9, 59.09% students had vision 6/12, 6.06% students had vision 6/18 and 1.5% had vision 3/60. 30.30% students were already using spectacles.
Conclusion: The commonest cause of visual impairment in school students was refractive errors which is preventable which is treatable. Conjunctivitis was the second most common ocular disorder which is also preventable and treatable. Therefore, proper screening and evaluation of school students if done timely can help in reducing the ocular morbidity burden in the society.
Keywords: Eye disease, prevalence, school children.
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Ridham Nanda MS
Senior Resident, Dept of Ophthalmology,
Acharya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences, Jammu
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.