TYPES AND MAGNITUDE OF REFRACTIVE ERRORS AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN OBIO/AKPOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA
Onwukwe, N. A., Oboh R. A., Osuji S., Onyekwere F., Wali J.
Department of Optometry, Faculty of Health Sciences
Madonna University Nigeria, Elele Campus, Rivers State
Email: kaakaamain@yahoo.com
Corresponding author: Onwukwe, N. A.
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to know the types and magnitude of refractive errors among secondary school students in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. A cross-sectional study in which 200 randomly selected students aged 10-17 years (mean age=13.52±2.045) from seven (7) randomly selected secondary schools was conducted. Unaided visual acuities of the subjects were measured at far and near using the Snellen’s distant and near acuity charts. The refractive errors were measured using a keeler streak retinoscope and trial lens and frames for objective and subjective refractions. Findings were recorded on a prepared data sheet. Data were analyzed with the descriptive and inferential statistics of the statistical packages for Social sciences (SPSS version 21). The prevalence of refractive errors was 97.50%. The distribution of refractive errors were as follows: 58.3% of the participants were astigmats which was found to have the highest prevalence, 22.46% of the participants were myopic, and the least prevalent was hyperopia with 19.25% participants. In the frequency of distribution of refractive errors, age 13 years (16%) was the highest and age 17 years (6.5%) was the lowest. From the result of this study, regular vision screening program of students is necessary, both in the rural and urban areas and thereby recommended, to know the distribution and burden of refractive errors as it affects the academic performance of school children.
