Research
Refractive Errors in Primary School Children in Nigeria
The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of refractive errors in primary school children in the Nigerian Army children school.
This was a cross-sectional study conducted with 919 pupils from two primary schools selected through stratified random sampling methods.
The prevalence of refractive error was 7.3% (95% CI = 5.5% – 9.1%).
Hypermetropia predominated with 52.2% of all errors and was common between 6 and 15 years of age.
Myopia was found in only 9% of children and was common in children less than 8 years of age.
Astigmatism was present in 38.8% of children who above 13 years of age.
Frequent school-screening programs that provide glasses at low cost or free of charge for those who have refractive errors should be promoted in Nigeria.