Dr. Hitesh, Dr. Sanjoy Chowdhury
Purpose : Refractive error often goes undetected in children as there is no provision mandatory vision testing. This is an important cause of amblyopia.
Aim : of this study is to analyse ocular problems in children to find clinical clues which can help to detect amblyopia.
Methods : In a prospective study, 800 school going children attending rural eye camps were examined for ocular problems. Results: More than 45% children had refractive error of which they were unaware. Presenting features were: blurring (30%), Bitot’s spot, headache, squint_10% each. Rest presented with recurrent stye, chalazion, phlycten, vernal conjunctivitis, frequent blinking. 2% were found to be amblyopic. Statistical analysis confirmed clinical association of clinical findings with refractive errors.
Conclusions: Many eye problems lead to diagnosis of underlying refractive errors in children as they do not when they are not seeing properly. Ignorance is not always bliss.