ABSTRACT
Background: Visual impairment is a common problem among school children. The prevalence of visual acuity defect is high specially in developing countries. The aims of the study were to study the magnitude of the visual acuity problem among school children and to investigate some of its risk factors
Methods: a cross-sectional study in which a stratified random sample of 1085 school students aged 6-18 years was selected from 6 schools which represented different areas in El-Minia city. Data related to risk factors of visual impairment were collected by questionnaire. Students were examined for visual acuity using Snellen's charts
Results: the prevalence of visual acuity defects among school children was 51%. Students having severe visual acuity defects accounted for 11.8% while those with moderate visual acuity defects accounted for 23.6% and those with minor defects accounted for 15.6%. Severe visual acuity defect represented higher proportion in the older age than in younger age groups. Severe visual acuity defect was higher among females than males. Moderate and severe visual acuity defects were more common among urban students than rural students. Students used bad illumination had moderate or severe visual acuity defect more than those used good illumination. Moreover, there were increase in the proportion of students, who watch television or use computer or videogames daily for more than 3 hours, with increase of the degree of visual acuity defect
Conclusion: visual acuity defect is a common problem among school age in El-Minia city specially older students and it is related to bad illumination, watching television and use computer or videogames daily for long time
Recommendations: Visual screening should be mandatory and repeated every year for all school children for detection and proper management of any visual defects