PREVALENCE OF REFRACTIVE ERRORS IN PRIMARY SCHOOL GOING CHILDREN OF SHEIKH MALTOON TOWN MARDAN

Objectives: To find out the prevalence of Refractive Errors and its associated risk factors in Primary school children of Sheikh Mattoon Mardan.

Study design: Descriptive Cross sectional Study

Place and Duration of study: This study was conducted in the primary schools of sheikh Mattoon town, Manion, in the month of April, 2018.

Materials & Methods: A total of 250 students from class 1 to class 5 in five primary schools of Sheikh Mattoon town Mardan, were selected through probability cluster and systemg sampling. Students were interviewed through ques-tionnaire. Near and far vision was tested through Jagger's and Snelleris Chart. Those suspected of having Refractive Errors were called for follow up M MMC Eye OPD. Those diagnosed with refractive errors were then advised glasses.

Results: Out of the total 250 students 55 were suspected for Refractive Errors on the bags of Questionnaire and Examination. 52 students reported to MMC OPD. 7 were found to be normal and 45 had refractive errors. Hence the prevalence of refractive errors came out to be 18% out of whlch the cases of Myopia, Hyperopia and Astigmatism were 48.8%, 20% and 31.1% respecfively.

Conclusion: This research shows that Refractive errors specifically Myopia is very common in school children. Spec-tacle correction of refractive errors is the cheapest and easy solution of this problem.