Prevalence of refractive errors among dental scholars and supporting auxiliary staff in a Government Hospital of Kashmir- A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: The untreated refractive errors have a substantial effect on learning and academic achievement of students other than being a personal issue. Visual disorders due to refractive errors are the most common diseases among the students and the second principal cause of blindness worldwide. The literature available reporting refractive errors in dental students in India is inadequate. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of refractive errors among dental students in Kashmir, a city in the North of India. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional institutional based study was conducted in June 2016 among dental students and interns. Students and Interns at Government Dental College and Hospital, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India were examined. All the subjects were assessed for refractive errors using auto-refractometer (TOPCON RM-8000B, TOPCON Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). The ophthalmologic examination was carried by an Ophthalmologist. SPSS Statistical Software 20.0 was used and significance of differences between the groups (gender and age) was sought using Mann-Whitney U-tests. Results: A total of 432 available subjects which including 155 males and 277 females were examined, of whom only 14.59% did not show any type of refectory error. Myopia was highly prevalent followed by Hypermetropia (Hyperopia) and Astigmatism. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed more than 75% students had refractive errors. Most of these students were unaware of the defects. Thus, more attention must be given to students for the treatment of these refractive errors.