Visual Acuity and Uncorrected Refractive Error Among Primary School Children in Abakaliki, South-East Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: To determine the pattern of visual acuity and prevalence of uncorrected refractive error among primary school children in Abakaliki, south-east Nigeria.

Study Design: A cross-sectional study.

Duration and Settings of Study: This study was conducted from October 2022 to February 2023, among primary school students in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

Methods: Children aged 6 to 12 years old were selected from both public and private schools, in Abakaliki metropolis. Interview administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Visual acuity (VA) was taken with Snellen’s Visual Acuity chart, both monocularly and binocularly. VA with pinhole was taken for both right and left eye individually.

Results: A total of 2,187 school going children were assessed. The mean age of the children was 9.5 ± 2 years. Male-to-female ratio was 1:1.01. The prevalence of uncorrected refractive error was 5.7%. Normal VA (≥6/6) was observed in 93.9% of the participants. There was a significant association between age and visual acuity (p <0.001). Female were significantly more likely to have impaired visual acuity.

Conclusions: Uncorrected refractive error increases with age and is worse among female. Routine screening of school-aged children for refractive errors is recommended.