Refractive error study in strabismic children: results from Al-Shifa Trust, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

To assess the prevalence of refractive error and visual impairment in children with strabismus. Study design:-Hospital based prospective study. July 1995 to June 1998. A total of 1120 strabismic children between the ages of 02-l 5 years were examined to identify those having refractive error. visual acuity measurement, cycloplegic retinoscopy, ocular motility evaluation and examination of the external eye, anterior segment, media and fundus were performed in all the strabismic children. Out of 1120 strabismic children, 622 [55.54%] had esotropia, 370 [3104%] had exotropia and 128 [11.42%] had vertical strabismus.148 [13.21%] were emmetropic, 972 [86.79%] strabismic children had refractive errors. Esotropia was the most common strabismus followed by exotropia and vertical strabismus. Severe visual impairment was found in 27.30% of the strabismic children. The most common refractive error was hypermetropia followed by astigmatism and myopia. About half of all the strabismic children had amblyopia