Study of visual morbidity among the school going children in rural part of Central India.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7439/ijbar.v7i5.3220Abstract
Background: Visual morbidity is an important factor affecting the learning ability, personality and confidence of growing children. Early detection and treatment of visual morbidity is an easy way to improve child health and development. Aims: 1) To estimate the prevalence and causes of visual morbidity in children. 2) To create awareness about the preventable causes of childhood blindness. Methodology: Cross-sectional, School-based screening; Study site: 4 Schools in the radius of 20km around our Institute; Duration: Six months; Age group: 5-15 years (Both sexes); Sample Size: 896. SPSS software was used for statistics. ICD-10 codes are used to classify diseases. The parents were counselled and awareness was generated regarding the importance of early detection and treatment of eye diseases. Result: Ocular morbidities were observed in a total of 30.69% (279 children); Uncorrected refractory error was the most important cause; Unilateral refractory errors accounted for 19.35%; Bilateral errors formed the rest 31.18%.; Vitamin A deficiency which included Bitots Spots (21.14%) and Conjunctival Xerosis (11.11%) was the second common cause.; There were 3 cases of colour blindness diagnosed using Ishiara chart (1.07%); Significant association with socio-economic status and occupation of parents (p 0.05). Conclusion: Visual morbidity affects the various domains of child health and development. Hence, there appears a dire need for early detection and treatment.Downloads
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