DR. SHILPI DUBEY

Dr. SUNIL KUMAR

Abstract

Aim-To compare prevalence and types of refractive error in school going children of rural & urban areas of eastern India.

Method-School going children in age group of 6-14 years were randomly selected from schools in rural & urban areas during May’18 to March’20. A detailed ophthalmic examination along with vision and refraction was done.

Result-The study included 1826 children (950 urban and 876 rural). Out of these 998 children were boys and 828 were girls. The prevalence of refractive error was found to be 10.84% (103/950) and 8.21% (72/876) in urban and rural schools respectively. Out of total refractive error most children had myopia (67% vs 56.9%) followed by hypermetropia (18.4% vs 25%) and astigmatism (14.6% vs 18.05%) in urban and rural schools respectively.

Conclusion-The prevalence of refractive error especially myopia was higher in urban children. This may be due to less outdoor activity & more use of electronic gadgets resulting in increase in near activity in urban areas