Refractive errors in children attending out-patient department of ophthalmology, Khyber teaching hospital, Peshawar

The objectives of the study were to estimate the occurrence of refractive errors in children age up to 15 years, attending outpatient department of Ophthalmology Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar, identify their types and provide them with glasses. A repetitive hospital based study. Place and duration of study: Eye Department, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, where study was conducted from 1st October 2006 to 31st March 2007. All children age upto 15 years with refractive errors coming to Outpatient Eye Department Khyber Teaching Hospital from 1st October 2006 to 31st March 2007 were included in this repetitive study. Detailed ocular examination was performed on each patient. It consisted of visual acuity testing, pupillary reaction, ocular motility examination, anterior segment examination and direct ophthalmoscopy. The refractive error was noted with type and the patients who needed glasses were provided free glasses. Out of 2340 children 300 [12.8%] had refractive error. Mean age of children was 6 years. Forty five [15%] children were below 3 years, 180 [60%] were between 3-10 years and 75 [25%] were between 11-15 years. One hundred thirty five [45%] were male and 165 [55%] were female. Myopia occurred in 85 [28.33%] Hypermetropia occurred in 75 [25%] and astigmatism in 140 [46.67%] children. Myopic astigmatism occurred in 19 [6.3%], hypermetropic astigmatism in 38 [12.7%] and mixed astigmatism in 83 [27.7%] children. Free glasses were provided to all the children. Anisometropia occurred in 19 [6.3%] patients. Bilateral amblyopia occurred in 10 [3.3%] patients. Unilateral amblyopia occurred in 10 [3.3%]. This study showed that the uncorrected refractive error was a major problem among children. Females were almost equally affected as males. Astigmatism was the most common problem. Treatment for refractive errors is perhaps the simplest and most effective form of eye care

Frequency of vitamin A defficiency in children of age 6 months to 72 months at the out patient ophthalmology department of agency headquarter hospital Landikotal, Khyber agency

To determine the frequency of Vitamin A deficiency [VAD] and associated clinical features in children of age group 6 months to 72 months in order to plan comprehensive eye care program. It was a non-interventional, cross- sectional study based on 2373 children aged between 6 months to 72 months, attending the Eye OPD from 1 st April 2005 to 1 st April 2006. Xerophthalmia was diagnosed on the basis of ocular signs and symptoms set by WHO. Dietary intake of Vitamin A was assessed and correlation of vitamin A deficiency with various risk factors was evaluated. Out of 2373 children, 94 [4%] children were suffering from VAD. Out of 94 children, 37 [39.4%] had Bitot spots, 27 [28.7%] had signs of corneal Xerosis/ Ulceration/ Keratomalacia while 24/94 [25.5%] had a history of night blindness. Thirty one [33%] children belonged to age group 61-72 months. Diarrhoea was the most frequent illness in 33[35%]. Most of the children [80/94; 85%] belonged to poor socio economic class. Vitamin A deficiency is not uncommon in children attending eye OPD. Most of them had already developed corneal involvement. Majority are under the age of 3 years; belonging to poor families, with poor dietary intake of vitamin A and with history of preceding illnesses like diarrhea etc. Community based studies are needed to assess the real burden of VAD and to plan for the major preventive strategies