Dr.Puja Hingorani-Bang, P12274
AIM: To study the ocular morbidity problem statement & to find the prevalence of refractive error(RE) among school students of a tribal community in Central India.
METHODS: 978 under-12 children attending Anganwadis & Primary School from 28 interior tribal villages were screened for refractive error using a hand-held auto-refractometer with battery back-up. An external ocular examination and cover test was also performed to rule out any other ocular abnormality. Those failing either of these tests were referred to a higher center.
RESULTS:Prevalence of ocular morbidity was found to be12.88% (n=126), with RE comprising 3.07%(n=30) and xerophthalmia contributing 8.90%(n=87). Squint was found in 11 children, corneal opacity in 8,nystagmus in 5, microphthalmos in 2 and buphthalmos, cataract and ptosis were seen in 1 child each. Only 1(3.33%) of the 30 children with RE was using spectacles.
CONCLUSION: Nutritional disorders constitute a major concern.RE remains undiagnosed in 96.7%students.
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