Prevalence of Ocular Morbidity among School Going Children (6-15years)

School children are affected by various eye disorders like refractive errors, squint (strabismus), Vitamin A deficiency and eye infections. Eye diseases in childhood are important causes of medical consultation and it affects learning ability, adjustment in school and personality. Most children do not complain of defective vision, as they may not recognize such conditions as a problem. Uncorrected refractive errors form the primary cause for visual impairment and blindness in India. This warrants early detection and treatment of these problems to prevent future blindness. The study was conducted with the objective of estimating the prevalence of ocular problems among school going children in rural area and to create „eye-health awareness‟ among them. This was a cross-sectional study of school children attending the ophthalmology OPD of Vikhe Patil Memorial Hospital. All the patients were examined by ophthalmologists. The patient sunder went detailed ocular examinations. Visual acuity measurement with the help of Snellen‟s chart for distant vision and any child having visual acuity of 6/9 or worse was examined for refractive error. Extraocular movements, Hirschberg test, coveruncover test fordetection of squint was done. Gross examination of cornea, conjunctiva, anterior chamber, iris, and pupil was done with a torch light. Examination of the anterior segment with slit lamp was done when needed. Retinoscopy and subjective refraction was done for all the patients suspected of having refractive error. Cycloplegicre fraction was done when needed..Examination of fundus with direct ophthalmoscope was also done. Indirect ophthalmoscopy when needed.