Prevalence of refractive errors in special needs children in Kano State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Uncorrected refractive errors (URE) persist as a public health problem among different ages and population groups  worldwide, including special needs children.

Aim: This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of refractive errors in special needs children in Kano State.

Methods: It is a cross sectional Prospective study carried out on the special needs children. The external and internal structures of the  participants’ eyes were examined. Lea symbol chart was used to measure visual acuity at 3 meters. Objective and subjective refractions were carried out to determine their refractive status. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 was used to analyze the  data.

Results: Children (105) between the ages of 4-18 years were included and 81 participants had refractive errors. Prevalence of  refractive error was 88.2%. Those between ages 13-15 and 16-18 years were largely affected. The prevalence of refractive error was more  in males (71.1%). About 62% were more than age thirteen. The main causes of refractive errors were astigmatism (56.5%), hyperopia  (21.1%) and myopia (10.5%).

Conclusion: Our result showed age increase and gender were the leading risk factors for refractive errors  among special needs children. It also confirmed that astigmatism and hyperopia were the major causes of refractive error. Vision  screening should be made compulsory for preschool special needs children which will make the burden of uncorrected refractive error to  reduce.