Abstract:
Background: Uncorrected refractive error (URE) is a major
public health problem with extensive negative social and
economic impact on patients. It can limit educational and
employment opportunities of affected individuals. We sought
to determine the prevalence and types of refractive error (RE)
among students presenting to a federal university school clinic
in North-central Nigeria.
Methods: A school based retrospective study where the records
of all students seen at the eye unit of the university clinic
between March, 2019 and March 2020 was done. Details of
student's refractions were retrieved from their records and
categorized based on distant and near RE types. For each
student, the eye with the better vision was used for the analysis.
Myopia was defined as an error of greater or equal to -0.50DS;
hypermetropia as an error of greater than or equal to + 0.50DS;
while astigmatism was defined as an error of greater than or
equal to 0.50DC. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package
for Social Student version 21.
Results: A total of three hundred and twenty-two students
were seen in the eye unit of the university clinic during the study
period, of which 95 (29.5%) underwent refraction. RE was
found in 81 of them giving a RE prevalence of 25.2%. There
were more females 49 (58.0%) than males with RE with a M: F
of 1:1.4. With an age range of 17-58 years, the most frequent
age group was 17-26 years (51.8%). Myopia was the
predominant RE 31(38.3%) and hypermetropia was the least
RE found in 4 (4.9%) eyes.
Conclusion: Uncorrected refractive error is common among
university students presenting to the eye unit of the university
clinic with myopia being the most common type. There is
therefore, a need to establish regular and effective screening
programmes that will promote early detection and correction in
order to forestall its negative impact on students' academic
performance.
