PREVALENCE OF LOW VISION AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN IN A RURAL BLOCK OF HARYANA
Journal Title: Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences - Year 2017, Vol 6, Issue 67
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low vision and blindness in children are important because of their impact on the child’s development, education, future work opportunities and quality of life. These negative effects are experienced throughout the child’s life. It leads to serious social and economic burden to the family and the society. The objective of this study is to assess the visual acuity and prevalence of visual impairment among the students in a rural block of Haryana. MATERIALS AND METHODS This cross-sectional study was done in Govt. Senior Secondary Schools of Block Lakhanmajra, Haryana. Out of 16 Govt. Senior Secondary Schools, 4 were randomly chosen. Students aged 6 - 15 years studying in class 1 to 10 were included in the study. The age of students was ascertained as per the school records. Visual Acuity (VA) test was performed using Snellen’s E chart. Assessment of VA of all the students was done at 6 meters in a well-illuminated room. The findings of clinical examination were recorded on a pre-tested proforma. After collection, the whole data was compiled, analysed and appropriate statistical tests like simple proportions and chi-square (א2) test were applied. RESULTS The prevalence of VA ≤ 6/9 either in better eye or worse eye was more in girls as compared to boys. Low vision according to WHO criteria (VA ≤ 6/18 in better eye) was found to be more prevalent in girls (3.4%) as compared to boys (1.7%). Out of total 34 students (2.6%) were having low vision according to WHO criteria. The prevalence VA ≤ 6/9 either in better eye or worse eye was more in higher age groups as compared to lower age groups. VA ≤ 6/18 was not found before the age of 10 years. The association of visual acuity with increase in age group was found to be highly significant. CONCLUSION Vision screening of school children in developing countries could be useful in detecting curable causes of vision problems provided detected at the early stage, especially refractive errors by which long-term visual disability could be avoided.
Authors and Affiliations
Seema Sharma, Vashisht B. M, Satinder Vashisht, Neelu Saluja, Suresh Kumar, Pandey S. M.
Keywords
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- EP ID EP232035
- DOI 10.14260/Jemds/2017/1041
- Views 99
- Downloads 0
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