A study on refractive errors among school children in Kolkata

Childhood visual impairment due to refractive errors is a significant problem in school children and has a considerable impact on public health. To assess the magnitude of the problem the present study was undertaken among the school children aged 5 to 10 years in Kolkata. Detailed ophthalmological examination was carried out in the schools as well as in the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Kolkata. Among 2317 students examined, 582 (25.11%) were suffering from refractive errors, myopia being the commonest (n = 325; 14.02%). Astigmatism affected 91 children (3.93%). There is an increase of prevalence of refractive errors with increase of age, but it is not statistically significant (p > 0.05). There is also no significant difference of refractive errors between boys and girls.