Abstract
STUDY DESIGN :record based( retrospective) study
PURPOSE: was to know prevalence of refractive errors among school children at gadag district.
METHODS: It is a . The study was done under the School eye screening Program of the National Program for Control of Blindness (NPCB) for identification and treatment of refractive errors. The screening was carried out in government and government aided schools by optometrists, later referred to base hospital. All students between 3-18 years were included. these records were collected and analysed.
RESULTS: Total 898 schools,1164 anganwadis and 54 colleges were screened.2,18,990 children were screened in total. Overall prevalence of refractive error in children 3-18 years found to be 0.6%.prevalence is 0.04% in age 3-6 years, 0.73% in age 7-15 years and 1.11% in 16-18 years of age.
CONCLUSION: Considering the prevalence rate of 0.6%, there is a need to screen school children regularly for refractive errors and also there is need for follow up.
