Research

Refractive Error in School Children in Agona Swedru, Ghana

  • The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and distribution of refractive error among schoolchildren in the Agona Swedru municipality of Central Region of Ghana.

  • This was a cross sectional school based study conducted with 637 randomly selected schoolchildren aged 11-18 years.

  • The prevalence of low vision (VA = 6/18 or worse in the better eye) was 2.5%.

  • Seventy-nine (85.9%) of those who failed the vision test and had refraction were found to have refractive errors representing the prevalence of 13.3%.

  • Out of the children with refractive errors, 30 (38.0%) had hyperopia, 10 (12.6%) had myopia while 39 (49.4%) had astigmatism.

  • The prevalence of hyperopia, myopia and astigmatism among the children was 5.0%, 1.7% and 6.6% respectively.

  • Uncorrected refractive error is a common cause of visual impairment among schoolchildren in the municipality suggesting the need for improved eye care services.

Publication date

March 5, 2018

Publication

South African Optometrist

Authors

Ovenseri-Ogbomo, G.O. and Assien, R.
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