TO STUDY THE PREVALENCE OF REFRACTIVE ERRORS AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN OF 6-12-YEARS OF AGE GROUPATTENDING OUT PATIENT DEPARTMENT.

Abstract

Refractive error (RE) is one of the most common causes of visual impairment around the world and the second leading cause of treatable 1,2 blindness . Childhood blindness is one of the priorities in Vision 3 2020. An estimated 19 million children are visually impaired worldwide of which 12 million are due to refractive errors which could 4 be easily corrected . School-age children constitute a particularly vulnerable group because uncorrected RE may have a dramatic impact 5 on learning capability and educational potential The refractive error is an optical defect, intrinsic to the eye which prevents light from being brought to a single point focus on i retina, thus reducing normal vision. Symptoms and signs associated with refractive errors are the most worrisome and common presentations in the general practice in ophthalmology OPD. The most common symptoms related to refractive error are decreased vision,blurring of vision, headache , watering from the eye ,eye strain while reading or doing near work, history of frequent styes etc .Diagnosis and treatment of refractive errors is relatively simple and is one of the easiest ways to reduce impaired vision. Therefore, we believe that the magnitude of the problem of refractive errors needs a systematic assessment of vision and correction by the application of appropriate glasses at an early age. Although the national programs are aimed at controlling blindness, the number of children developing refractive error keeps on increasing day by day. This may be due to lack of awareness about risk factors and complications that arise due to refractive error.