BACKGROUND: Paediatric ophthalmology is an emerging subspecialty in Nigeria and as such there is paucity of data on refractive errors in the country. This study set out to determine the pattern of refractive errors in children attending an eye clinic in South West Nigeria. METHODS: A descriptive study of 180 consecutive subjects seen over a 2-year period. Presenting complaints, presenting visual acuity (PVA), age and sex were recorded. Clinical examination of the anterior and posterior segments of the eyes, extraocular muscle assessment and refraction were done. The types of refractive errors and their grades were determined. Corrected VA was obtained. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics in proportions, chi square with p value <0.05. RESULTS: The age range of subjects was between 3 and 16 years with mean age = 11.7 and SD = 0.51; with males making up 33.9%.The commonest presenting complaint was blurring of distant vision (40%), presenting visual acuity 6/9 (33.9%), normal vision constituted >75.0%, visual impairment20% and low vision 23.3%. Low grade spherical and cylindrical errors occurred most frequently (35.6% and 59.9% respectively). Regular astigmatism was significantly more common, P <0.001. The commonest diagnosis was simple myopic astigmatism (41.1%). Four cases of strabismus were seen. CONCLUSION: Simple spherical and cylindrical errors were the commonest types of refractive errors seen. Visual impairment and low vision occurred and could be a cause of absenteeism from school. Low-cost spectacle production or dispensing unit and health education are advocated for the prevention of visual impairment in a hospital set-up.

Background: Knowledge of the status of eye diseases among students' enrolled in the special schools would assist in planning preventive and treatment strategies. Objectives: To determine the types and causes of ocular morbidity leading to enrolment of students in special schools of Osun state. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study by utilizing a total-sampling-technique on students attending all 8 special primary and integrated secondary schools to find out the common ophthalmic diseases between July and September 2013. Teachers' registers, oral interview and clinical examination were used to obtain data. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics through SPSS 17 software.Results: Four hundred and seventy-two (472) students between the ages of 4 and 36 years with mean of 13.7 ± 4.7 were examined.Two hundred and seventy-six (58.5%) were males and one hundred-ninety-six were females. Fathers' occupation were mostly farmers 142 (30.1%) and Artisans 133 (28.2%). Abnormal ocular findings were seen in 9.9% of students. The prevalence of blindness was 4.7% [95% Confidence Interval (CI) 2.7 -6.6]. Anatomical causes of blindness were corneal scarring (2.1%) especially post measles keratopathy, whole globe disorders (1.1%), toxoplasma chorioretinal scars and maculopathies (0.6%), amblyopia/uncorrected refractive errors (0.4%) and cortical visual impairment (0.2% ). The prevalence of visual impairment was 1.4% , with cataracts and refractive error being the most common causes. Other findings included nystagmus (0.2%), vernal conjunctivitis (0.4%), and pigmentary retinopathy (4.2%). Ocular pathologies occurred most frequently among the lower socio-economic group (χ 2 169.69, P < 0.001). Conclusions:The common causes of ocular diseases leading to enrolment are avoidable. Mandatory eye examination at birth, preschool years and school age is needed for early detection and intervention. Health education, adequate nutrition, and immunization are required for prevention.