Prevalence, knowledge and factors associated with refractive errors in grade 9 students in selected schools in the Colombo district

Background:Refractive errors are preventable and is an easily treatable visual impairment that is especially common among children and adolescents and if uncorrected can lead to severe consequences. Our aim is to describe the prevalence and knowledge of refractive errors and determine the factors associated with refractive errors among grade 9 students in selected schools in Colombo district.Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out among 120 grade 9 students sampled using a cluster sampling method from two selected schools in the Colombo district. Students completed a self-administered questionnaire. Visual acuity was measured using Snellen’s E chart at 6 meters. For those whose vision was less than or equal to 6/12, pinhole examination was performed to confirm refractive error as the cause for visual impairment. Students with spectacles were tested with and without spectacles. Data was analyzed using SPSS software.Results: Out of the students, 53.3% were females with a median age of 13. The prevalence of refractive errors was 28.3% (CI at 95%; 20.5-37.2) while the prevalence of uncorrected refractive errors was 18.3% (CI at 95%; 11.9-26.4). Overall, 94.2% were found to have a poor knowledge regarding refractive errors. Having both parents and a sibling wearing spectacles, being a resident of Colombo district and sleeping for more than 6 hours a day were found to be significantly associated with the presence of a refractive error (p<0.05)Conclusion: Prevalence of refractive errors in this study population was high. Factors associated with refractive errors could be utilized in planning preventive programme.