European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: Refractive Error is a treatable and avoidable cause of visual impairment seen in all age groups. Children of age group 7-14 or less are in growing age have more propensity to develop refractive errors due varied reasons. Our motto in this study is to counsel mothers, early detection of refractive errors and prompt management.
Aims &Objective: To determine prevalence and pattern of refractive errors in children of age group of 7-15 years, at tertiary care hospital i.e. ESIC Medical college and Hospital, Kalaburagi.
Materials and methods: The study was undertaken in ophthalmology OPD at ESIC Medical college and Hospital, Kalaburagi during the period of June 2019 to June 2021. Out of 628 children attended OPD during study period, 530 students were selected based on exclusion and inclusion criteria.
Results: In our study we found 84.3% of children attended OPD during study period having refractive error. We had 59.6% were from urban children of urban and 40.3% were from rural back ground. We found refractive errors more in females compared to males with male to female ratio 1.48. In our study we found mixed myopic astigmatism (68.49%) as most common refractive error
Conclusion: The prevalence of uncorrected refractive error, especially myopic Astigmatism, was more in older children and Hypermetropia is more common in younger age group. Eye Screening for refractive errors should be made mandatory for all children at school entry level. Negligence by parents should be addressed with prompt education and counselling especially in hereditary cases.