Pattern of refractive errors in 5–15 year age children at tertiary care centre in Kumaon region

Abstract

Objective: To determine prevalence and pattern of refractive errors in children in the age group of 5-15 years, at tertiary care hospital, in Haldwani, Uttarakhand. Materials and methods: All patients aged 5-15 years were examined thoroughly. Cycloplegic refraction was done and type of refractive error was decided. Results: Prevalence of refractive error is 18.6% of children in 5-15 year age group. It is more prevalent in males (19.2%) in comparison to females (17.9%). Hypermetropia is more common in 5-10 year age group (63.4) whereas myopia is more prevalent in compared with 11-15 year age group (62.8%). Conclusion: This study shows that myopia, hypermetropia, and type of astigmatism have different distribution in different age group like myopia is more common in older children and hypermetropia is more common in younger age group children. Key words: Astigmatism, Children, Hypermetropia, Kumaon, Myopia, Refractive error