Prevalence of Ocular Morbidity Among School Children (6-15 Years) in Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh

Purpose This study was carried out in school screen programme for the ocular morbidity among the 6-15 years of age in the rural1 area of Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh. Design School-based cross sectional study1. Methods Trained ophthalmic assistants performed visual acuity measurements using Snellen chart and examination of external eye with torchlight, for children aged 6- 15 years children from rural schools in Kurnool. The children 2were examinined by experienced Ophthalmic Assistant, refraction and subjective correction, cycloplegis refraction done. The children not improving with this procedure referend to Regional eye Hospital Kurnool and through opthatlmic examination done by using Slit lamp, Direct opthalmoscope and indirect ophthalmoscope, Auto refractometer, Hirschbergs test with torch light, cover test and prism bar test. Results An ophthalmic assistant screened 29, 351children Refractive errors (20.18 %), congenital cataract (13.9 %), strabismus (23.9 %) Amblyopia (7.2 %). Cornea Diseases (12.2 %) Nystagmus (12.2 %) other miscellaneous (30.6 %) were the cause of ocular morbidity in this population. Conclusions Refractive errors, strabismus, cataract in children, nystagmus and corneal dieases were the major cause of ocular morbidity.