SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF MYOPIC SCHOOL GOING CHILDREN IN DHAKA CITY

Nahid Sultana*, Mohammad Mazharul Islam and Md. Shahidullah

ABSTRACT

Refractive error, especially myopia is the most common eye problem throughout the world. As a part of a cross-sectional comparative study among an add up to 1319 school going children,311were screened out as myopic from secondary school of Dhaka city through helpful examining methods to post their socio-demographic variety. Among the study population eye examination was done by retinoscope following standard procedure for detecting myopia. The mean age was 11.41±2.1 years of which 80% were within 8-13 year age group. This study showed that myopia was predominant in female than male. By occupation mothers of the subjects were mostly homemaker while fathers were found engaged with business followed by services. Of these children 85.53% were found not using any glass/spectacles. It was revealed that about half of the subjects were suffering from other eye problems mainly Blurred distal vision (57%), Eyeache (26%), watering (34%) and Headache (24%). Student as well as their parents were not aware about the vision problems among the children. Routine health checkup by school authorities including eye screening is highly recommended.

Keywords: Myopia, School going children.