Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: August | Volume: 10 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 208-214
Prevalence of Ocular Morbidity among Primary School Children in Calabar, Nigeria
Sunday Nnamdi Okonkwo, Elizabeth Dennis Nkanga
Consultant Ophthalmologist, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Calabar and University of Calabar Teaching Hospital Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.
Corresponding Author: Sunday Nnamdi Okonkwo
ABSTRACT
Purpose: To determine prevalence of ocular morbidity among school children in Calabar, identify and refer those with vision threatening conditions for appropriate treatment.
Methods: A cross sectional study was done among primary school children in 4 schools (2 government and 2 private) in the city of Calabar. Eye examination was done which included visual acuity testing, external eye and anterior segment examination using penlight and magnifying head loupe. Posterior segment examination was done with direct ophthalmoscope. Data obtained was analyzed using statistical package for social sciences.
Results: A total of 1,233 school children were examined. There were 564(45.7%) males and 669 (54.3%) females. Age range was 4 to 15 years with mean of 9.1+ 2.5 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 8.95 – 9.23) Ocular morbidity was found in 176 children amounting to a prevalence of 14.3%. Allergic conjunctivitis 83 (6.7%) was the most common cause of ocular morbidity followed by refractive error 38 (3.1%), glaucoma suspect 23 (1.9%), ocular albinism 6 (0.5%), traumatic subconjunctival haemorrhage 5 (0.4%), congenital ptosis and external hordeolum 3 (0.2%) each. Visual impairment was seen in 8 (0.65%) children and monocular blindness was found in 4 pupils.
Conclusion: This study shows that a significant number of school children in Calabar have ocular morbidity. Early detection of ocular morbidity through regular systematic eye screening in schools and timely intervention to prevent or minimize the burden of eye diseases on school children is advocated.
Key words: ocular morbidity, prevalence, school children.