Estimation of the Prevalence of Uncorrected Refractive Error and Other Ocular Morbid Conditions in School Children of Industrial Area in a Non-metro City in India

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to estimate the prevalence of uncorrected refractive error and ocular morbid conditions in school-going children of the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) industrial belt. Methods Ocular examination was done in a well-equipped mobile clinic on school premises in the presence of a school teacher using visual acuity (VA) charts, autorefractometer, retinoscope, and handheld slit lamp. For the age group of 5-6 years, Lea symbols and HOTV charts were used, and for the age group of >7 years, Snellen’s chart was used. A detailed anterior segment examination was done to see lid position, the presence of any lid swelling, conjunctival congestion, conjunctival xerosis, corneal opacity, and lens opacity, and findings of previous eye surgery were noted. Spectacle correction was given to these students if they were found to have a significant refractive error. Children requiring intervention other than refractive correction were referred to a tertiary hospital. Results A total of 3,054 school children were examined. Most were between the age group of 11-15 years (2,448 (80.2%)), with a mean age of 12.45 ± 2.022 years; 1,470 (48.1%) were male children. A total of 368 (12.04%) children had uncorrected refractive error. Myopia was seen in 204 (6.68%) children, hypermetropia in 16 (0.52%) children, and astigmatism in 148 (4.85%) children. On classification, simple myopic astigmatism (SMA) was found in 73 (2.39%) children, compound myopic astigmatism (CMA) in 38 (1.24%) children, simple hypermetropic astigmatism (SHA) in 13 (0.34%) children, and compound hypermetropic astigmatism (CHA) in 16 (0.52%) children. Moreover, 121 children had ocular morbid conditions. Ocular morbidity with decreased vision was seen in 52 (1.7%) children with preexisting refractive error and 12 (0.39%) with amblyopia, and strabismus was seen in eight (0.26%) children. Five (0.16%) children had lens disorder, and five (0.16%) had no improvement with glasses despite normal anterior segment. Conclusion There was a high prevalence of uncorrected refractive error. Early detection of uncorrected refractive error and ocular morbidity will improve overall performance in school-going children.

Refractive Error among Children Visiting the Department of Paediatric Opthalmology of a Tertiary Eye Care Center

“…8 The prevalence of hyperopia (3.36%) and astigmatism (5.75%) was similar to a study conducted in a city in India. 7 Similarly, it is higher than the previous study done in Pokhara, 9 and in a multistate study in India which might be due to the smaller population size in this study. 10 The prevalence of refractive error in this study is 18.5%, which is higher than the study done in Palpa (9%).…”

“… 5 , 6 In a previous study of 3054 children, Myopia was seen in 204 (6.68%) children, hypermetropia in 16 (0.52%) children, and astigmatism in 148 (4.85%) children which is almost similar to our study in which Myopia was seen in 9.4% children followed by astigmatism 5.75%, and hyperopia 3.4%. 7 …”

“…5,6 In a previous study of 3054 children, Myopia was seen in 204 (6.68%) children, hypermetropia in 16 (0.52%) children, and astigmatism in 148 (4.85%) children which is almost similar to our study in which Myopia was seen in 9.4% children followed by astigmatism 5.75%, and hyperopia 3.4%. 7 The major population of the Parsa and Bara district of Nepal is Madhesi people which comprises various cultural groups such as Hindu caste groups, Muslim, Marwaris, Brahmin and Dalit caste groups, ethnic groups like Maithili, Bhojpuri, Awadi, and Bajjika speaking people. It can explain the differences in results of both refractive error prevalence and myopia prevalence as compared to Jhapa which has a mixed group (Mongol, Indo-Aryan) and Dadeldhura (mostly Mongol).…”

Prevalence of Refractive Errors Among Children at a Tertiary Care Center in Karnataka: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Bakare et al examined 3,054 school-going children aged 11-15 years of Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation in India and found 368 (12.04%) children with uncorrected REs. Myopia was found in 204 (6.8%) participants, followed by astigmatism in 148 (4.8%) and hypermetropia in 16 (0.53%) subjects [ 22 ]. Basu et al also reported 457 (15.22%) prevalences of RE out of 3,002 participants; myopia was found in 418 (91.47%), followed by hypermetropia in 21 (4.6%) and astigmatism in 18 (0.04%) [ 23 ].…”

Characteristics of Myopia in Children at Prof. Dr. I.G.N.G. Ngoerah General Hospital Period 2020/2021

“…29 Berdasarkan penelitian di India oleh Bakare dkk., miopia ditemukan sebanyak 6,68% pada anak dengan klasifikasi Simple Myopic Astigmatism (SMA) sejumlah 2,39% dan Compound Myopic Astigmatism (CMA) sejumlah 1,24%. 32 Dalam penelitian astigmatisma oleh Ijaz dkk. yang dilakukan di Pakistan, didapatkan simple myopic astigmatism 13,8%, compound myopic astigmatism 32,3% dan mixed astigmatism 8,4% yang selanjutnya apabila tidak ditangani tepat waktu maka dapat menyebabkan ambliopia, sehingga skrining yang tepat dapat mencegah anak dari kehilangan penglihatan permanen karena ambliopia.…”