Preschool eye screening: A study in South India

Abstract

To assess the prevalence of ocular disorders and visual disability in preschool children in Southern India and to know if preschool eye screening by ophthalmologist or ophthalmic officer is essential to be made mandatary program. This is apreschool based prospective cross sectional study which was adopted in 47 Anganwadi (preschool), which came under one Taluk in Karnataka Total of 1283 children were screened and examined by ophthalmologist and ophthalmic officer at general hospital, over a period of 2 months. All the children were divided into 2 groups, 0-3yrs and 3-6 years, who underwent a detailed eye examination. Children aged 3-6 yrs were also examined for refractive disorders. The pattern of refractive errors and ocular disorders etc. were studied by cross-sectional descriptive analysis of data and statistical analysis for age and gender. Among 1283 children examined, 757 were 0-3 yrs and 526 were 3-6 yrs, out of which 66 (5.2%) children with ocular disorders were detected. The commonest eye disorder in children of 3-6 yrs group was refractive error 24 (4.6%) commonest being myopia 11(2%). No statistically significant differences in the distribution of ocular disorders by age or gender were detected. Screening of preschool children by an Ophthalmologist or an Ophthalmic officer detects ocular disorders and makes timely intervention possible and also prevents the development of permanent visual disability and thus prevents socioeconomic urden. A large-scale community-based preschool eye screening program in India identifies morbid eye conditions early, that are amenable to cure and prompt rehabilitation.