Study on ocular diseases in school children in west Hyderabad

Abstract

Introduction: A study on ocular diseases in children is important because early detection and treatment will reduce the burden of blindness in the society as children in the school-going age group (5-16 years) represent 25% of the population in developing countries. Most of the eye diseases start from childhood. If they are not detected early they can hamper children’s activities in school and may also cause severe ocular disability in their future. Objectives: Our school eye survey will help in early detection and treatment of ocular morbidities in rural schools of Film nagar, Hyderabad. Materials and Methods: In this study 1218 school children aged between 5 to 16 years were screened for ocular morbidities and specific treatment was given to the children with ocular diseases. SPSS software was used for statistical analysis. Results: The total prevalence of ocular morbidity was 32.5%.Refractive errors accounted for 11.0% of the cases followed by Blepharitis accounting for 10.1% of cases. The other ocular morbidities were Allergic conjunctivitis 7.6%, Amblyopia 1%, Duane's Retraction syndrome 0.3%, Meibomian gland dysfunction 0.5%, Congenital cataract 0.3%, Exotropia 0.5%, intrastromal corneal foreign body 0.2%, Bitot's spots (Vitamin A deficiency) 0.2% Corneal opacity 0.5%, Double elevator palsy 0.2%, Axenfield rieger's syndrome 0.2%, Chalazion 0.2%. Conclusion: Refractive errors was the most common ocular morbidity followed by Blepharitis. Periodic school eye health programs and ocular hygiene play an important role in reducing the ocular morbidities. Keywords: Ocular morbidity, School children, Refractive errors, School eye camps, Ocular hygiene.