Estimation of the Prevalence of Uncorrected Refractive Error and Other Ocular Morbid Conditions in School Children of Industrial Area in a Non-metro City in India

Purpose This study aims to estimate the prevalence of uncorrected refractive error and ocular morbid conditions in school-going children of the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) industrial belt. Methods Ocular examination was done in a well-equipped mobile clinic on school premises in the presence of a school teacher using visual acuity (VA) charts, autorefractometer, retinoscope, and handheld slit lamp. For the age group of 5-6 years, Lea symbols and HOTV charts were used, and for the age group of >7 years, Snellen’s chart was used. A detailed anterior segment examination was done to see lid position, the presence of any lid swelling, conjunctival congestion, conjunctival xerosis, corneal opacity, and lens opacity, and findings of previous eye surgery were noted. Spectacle correction was given to these students if they were found to have a significant refractive error. Children requiring intervention other than refractive correction were referred to a tertiary hospital. Results A total of 3,054 school children were examined. Most were between the age group of 11-15 years (2,448 (80.2%)), with a mean age of 12.45 ± 2.022 years; 1,470 (48.1%) were male children. A total of 368 (12.04%) children had uncorrected refractive error. Myopia was seen in 204 (6.68%) children, hypermetropia in 16 (0.52%) children, and astigmatism in 148 (4.85%) children. On classification, simple myopic astigmatism (SMA) was found in 73 (2.39%) children, compound myopic astigmatism (CMA) in 38 (1.24%) children, simple hypermetropic astigmatism (SHA) in 13 (0.34%) children, and compound hypermetropic astigmatism (CHA) in 16 (0.52%) children. Moreover, 121 children had ocular morbid conditions. Ocular morbidity with decreased vision was seen in 52 (1.7%) children with preexisting refractive error and 12 (0.39%) with amblyopia, and strabismus was seen in eight (0.26%) children. Five (0.16%) children had lens disorder, and five (0.16%) had no improvement with glasses despite normal anterior segment. Conclusion There was a high prevalence of uncorrected refractive error. Early detection of uncorrected refractive error and ocular morbidity will improve overall performance in school-going children.