Tribal Odisha Eye Disease Study (TOES) # 7. Prevalence of refractive error in children in tribal Odisha (India) school screening

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the prevalence of refractive error in school children in a tribal district, Rayagada, Odisha state, India. Methods: In a cross-sectional school eye health study, the students with diminished vision and other ocular abnormalities were referred for a further eye examination to the vision technicians after initial screening by the trained school teachers. The examination by vision technicians consisted of an external eye examination, photorefraction using a Spot screener and subjective correction. Those not improving with subjective correction were referred to the ophthalmologist for further examination. Results: The school teachers measured vision in 153,107 children; 5,990 students reached a vision technician. There was a near equal number of boys (50.06%) and girls (49.94%). The average age was 10.5 ± 2.63 (range: 5–15) years. The prevalence of refractive error was 9.7% (95% [CI]; 9.0–10.5%) in the vision technician-examined children. Myopia (4.9%) and astigmatism (5.4%) were more common than hyperopia (0.2%). The presenting visual acuity (PVA) was worse in children with hypermetropia (PVA 20/100-20/200 in 40% of children). Spherical equivalent of refractive error did not have a good correlation with age (R 2 = 1.3); but increasing age was associated with increased risk of myopia (odds ratio 1.14; 95% CI 1.09–1.20; P < 0.001). Conclusion: The quantum of refractive error was close to other similar studies in India but the prevalence of myopia was relatively less.

Prevalence of refractive errors among school-going children in a multistate study in India

“…Previous studies have reported prevalence among school children aged 5–15 years in different locations in India. In Delhi and Gurugram (Haryana state), prevalence of 13.1% and 21.1% has been reported, respectively, with myopia defined as SE >−0.50 D. 30 31 Another study of children aged 5–15 in Odisha state with the same definition for myopia found prevalence of 4.9%, closer to that of the present study 32 perhaps due in part to the fact that the higher prevalence data were gathered using cycloplegia, while the latter study used cycloplegia only ‘as appropriate’. 32 A systematic review of refractive error prevalence in children under 15 years of age in India 4 included studies conducted in seven states.…”

“…In Delhi and Gurugram (Haryana state), prevalence of 13.1% and 21.1% has been reported, respectively, with myopia defined as SE >−0.50 D. 30 31 Another study of children aged 5–15 in Odisha state with the same definition for myopia found prevalence of 4.9%, closer to that of the present study 32 perhaps due in part to the fact that the higher prevalence data were gathered using cycloplegia, while the latter study used cycloplegia only ‘as appropriate’. 32 A systematic review of refractive error prevalence in children under 15 years of age in India 4 included studies conducted in seven states. It showed an overall prevalence of 5.3% and values from 3% (Andhra Pradesh) to 7% (New Delhi) in population-based studies and from 2% (Maharashtra) 26 to 14% (Gujarat) in school-based studies.…”

Prevalence of refractive errors among the school-going children in East Sikkim

“…Myopia was the most common refractive error (31.1%) followed by astigmatism (29.4%), and hyperopia (2.6%) being the least and many studies have reported similar results. [ 8 13 20 21 22 23 ]…”