Screening for vision impairment and ocular morbidities among adolescents and young adults in urban and rural areas of southern part of India

Abstract

IntroductionGlobally 1.3 billion people suffer from vision impairment, 80% of which are due to avoidable causes. The prevalence of childhood blindness in developing countries is 1.5 per 1000.30% of blind people in India lose eyesight before the age of 20, hence early diagnosis and correction becomes imperative ObjectivesTo determine the burden of vision impairment using Snellen's chart and other ocular morbidities among adolescents and young adults in urban and rural areas of Southern part of India. 2. To determine the association of age, gender and place of residence with vision impairment among them. MethodologyThis cross-sectional study was conducted as part of annual health check-up in 50 schools, colleges in southern part of India, during 2018–2019.11085 students between 10 and 25 years were screened for visual acuity using Snellen's chart and ocular morbidities. Data was entered in Excel and analysed using SPSS Version 23. Descriptive statistics like mean, standard deviation, percentages and inferential statistical tests like chi square test was used. Results4.2% had vision impairment (<6/12). 5.2% and 3.2% students residing in urban and rural areas and 4.1% of adolescents and 5.6% of young adults had vision impairment. Gender, place of residence and age groups were significantly associated with visual impairment. Prevalence of various ocular morbidities were bacterial conjunctivitis (0.13%), squint (0.13%), stye (0.1%), conjunctival xerosis (0.1%) and allergic conjunctivitis (0.05%) ConclusionSignificant proportion of the adolescents and young adults had vision impairment. Periodic screening and correction would be effective solution