Publication:

Assessment of visual acuity defects among rural adolescent students of tribal Bastar Chhattisgarh (India)

Background Defective visual acuity is the most common problem among adolescents which, if remains uncorrected may cause refractive errors and may lead to blindness. Defective visual acuity can be tested early and corrected by spectacles. The objectives of the study were assessment of visual acuity defects among adolescent students.

Methods Present study design is cross sectional community based study. Conducted during July to September 2017 in Higher Secondary School, Pandripani. Predesigned KAP questionnaires were used to collect information and visual acuity was measured by using Snellen’s chart. Students with spectacles were tested for uncorrected and corrected visual acuity. Data was analyzed on MS Excel 2016.

Results Visual acuity defect prevalence rises with age and maximum is seen in age group 19-20 years (85%).Male to female ratio in students with defects was 52:48 Maximum defect is seen in class 12th students (34%).83% students never got their eyes checked out of which 25% had defective visual acuity. Positive attitude toward spectacles preventing normalization of eyes and spectacles leading to dependence and worsening of vision were elicited. Students whose parents have eye related problem have prevalence of 64%.83% of students advised to wear spectacles who don’t have, cost of spectacle is most common cause (80%) and is preceded by not much difference in vision after wearing (20%).

Conclusions The prevalence of visual acuity defect was high in rural adolescent. Eye screening of school going children is recommended and spectacles to be distributed free or at low cost to those students diagnosed with refractive errors.