Abstract

Background: Refractive error (RE) is one of the most common causes of visual impairment around the world and the second leading cause of treatable blindness. Lack of awareness about risk factors and complications that arise, are the reasons for an increasing trend an early age. Aims and Objectives: This study aimed at finding the influence of risk factors on RE among rural and urban schoolchildren and its prevalence.
Materials and Methods: A total of 1300 schoolchildren in the age group of 6-12 years were screened for REs. Children with visual acuity <6/9 were referred for objective refraction. The various risk factors involved were assessed using a pretested questionnaire.
Results: The proportion of children with RE was significantly more in urban (17.5%) than in the rural area (12%). Myopia (14.6%) was the common RE in rural and urban children. Of the risk factors studied, duration of watching television (TV), distance from which TV was watched, duration of computer/video/mobile games, and the duration of play outside had a statistically significant association to the prevalence of RE. Conclusion: This study proves that the risk factors associated with RE that can be avoided and helps in creating awareness to children, parents, and particularly, the teachers who play an important role in shaping the child’s career and behavior. The necessity of proper and constant wear of spectacles should be emphasized.