Prevalence of refractive errors among primary school children in the rural areas of Menouf district, Egypt

Authors

Asmhan F. Hamouda, Menoufia UniversityFollow
Faried M. Wgdy, Menoufia University
Mohammed M. Elkot, Menoufia University
Nagwa N. Hegazy, Menoufia University

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of refractive errors among primary school children in the rural areas of Menouf district, Egypt. Background Visual impairment among school children is a prevailing problem. Besides affecting children's attendance at school it reduces their ability to study thus leading to impairment of their academic achievements. Participants and methods The sample size was calculated to be 435 students, which was increased to 480 students. The students were selected among all the primary school children in the selected area through a systematic random sampling of the classes in the studied schools during the scholastic years 2013–2014. All students were interviewed and underwent assessment for visual acuity. Results The screening revealed that 116 students out of 480 (24%) had refractive errors. Of them, 22% patients had myopia and only 2% had hypermetropia. The patients were found to be affected by watching television for long durations, in dim or yellow light, and at a distance less than the healthy recommended level. Conclusion Nearly one-fourth of the students were found to have refractive errors.

Recommended Citation

Hamouda, Asmhan F.; Wgdy, Faried M.; Elkot, Mohammed M.; and Hegazy, Nagwa N. (2016) "Prevalence of refractive errors among primary school children in the rural areas of Menouf district, Egypt," Menoufia Medical Journal: Vol. 29: Iss. 4, Article 38.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/1110-2098.202535