Frequency of refractive error in children of district Abbottabad

ABSTRACT

To investigate the prevalence of refractive errors in children. A descriptive case series study of 10, 000 patients conducted in the department of ophthalmology Shahina Jamil Teaching Hospital Frontier Medical College Abbottabad. 10-15 years old children of district Abbottabad were initially screened. Children identified to have visual acuity equal to or less then 6/12 underwent refraction with autorefractor [with cycloplegic where needed] and were prescribed glasses. From 2008-2009. Proportion of children with Myopia, Hpermetropia and Astigmatism. A total of 10, 000 children were screened.4.7% of the total children screened had impaired visual acuity while 4.35% were found to have refractive errors. Prevalence of refractive error was found slightly more common among females. Myopia was found to be three times more common 3.33% than hypermetropia [1.00%] overall prevalence of astigmatism was found to be [1.78%].Refractive errors are significant cause of visual disability in children. Medical staff can effectively identify those children with poor vision for refraction and spectacles