PREVALENCE OF REFRACTIVE ERRORS IN ADOLESCENTS IN OUT- PATIENT ATTENDEES OF THE PREVENTIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY CLINIC OF COMMUNITY MEDICINE, S K I M S, KASHMIR, INDIA

Abstract

Blindness is one of the most significant social problems in India with uncorrected refractive errors as the second major cause accounting for 19.7% of blindness and low vision.All adolescents (12-18 years) attending the eye clinic from Jan 2007-Jan 2009 for any eye ailment were examined and screened for refractive error using Snellen's chart.Out of total 930 adolescents, 508(54.62%) of adolescents had refractive errors. Of the total males and females examined 57.43% and 52.12% respectively had refractive errors. The mean age of presentation was 14.3 years. Most of the adolescents presented with myopia 257(50.59%) followed by astigmatism (35.23%) and hypermetropia (14.17%).High prevalence of refractive errors warrants early detection and treatment.