A survey of the Refractive State of Elementary School Children in Rural Area

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the refractive error and glasses wering state, we performed screening eye examination on elementary school children living in rural area. Among 1254 shcool children(male : 542, female : 712), 352(28.1%) children were emmetropia and 902(71.9%) children ametropia. Three hundred ninety two(72.3%) of 542 male students and 510(71.6%) of 712 female students were not emmetropia. There was no statistical significance in sexual difference of refractive errors. As refractive errors, 38.3%(481) were myopia, 27.8%(348) hyperopia, and 5.8%(73( mixed astigmatism respectively. In diopteric distribution of refractive errors, refractive error under +/-2.0D was 72.0%(650/902). Among children with refractive errors, 333(36.9%) children did not require glasses, but rest of childfen needed glasses. Three hundred nine(34.3%) children did not wear glasses inspite of refractive errors, 33(3.7%) children were wearing incorrect glasses and 2 children were wearing glasses unnecessarily. In children, early eye examination is essential for their eye health. Therefore attention to early eye examination and correct glasses wearing seem to be very important especially for child living in rural area.