PREVALENCE OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AMONG SCHOOLCHILDREN IN Makkah

BACKGROUND: The updated estimate for visual impairment in children is needed for planning to improve the quality of life of schoolchildren. Almost 18.9 million school children below 15 years of age suffer from visual impairment worldwide. In developing countries, up to 31% of childhood visual impairment and blindness is avoidable and preventable. AIM OF THE STUDY: to estimate the prevalence of visual impairment and its impact on school achievement. METHODS: a cross sectional descriptive study was conducted using the multistage random sample as 10 elementary schools were selected by Simple random selection from 374 elementary schools in Makkah, then students from chosen schools were selected by the stratified random sample from both genders. Visual acuity was assessed by Snell's chart for 392 apparently healthy children during April 2018 to May 2018 and using The World Health Organization classification for visual impairment. RESULTS: Out of 392 participants, 218 (55.6%) were males and 174 (44.4%) were females. A total of 106 (27%) children presented with normal visual acuity (VA) in the right eye and 111 (28.3%) children had normal visual acuity in the left eye. 200 (51%) and 184 (46.9%) had near normal vision in right and left eye respectively. Regarding visual impairment, 57 (14.5%) and 67 (17.1%) had a moderate visual impairment in right and left eye respectively. While 29 (7.4%) had a severe visual impairment in each eye, and only one (0.3%) had blindness in the left eye. The majority of 310 (79.1%) had Excellent grades. Only 4.8% had learning difficulties noticed by their parents. Children with visual impairment were referred for further evaluation. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, Visual impairment is common among schoolchildren and affecting both eyes. Cost-effective strategies were needed to address easily treated causes of vision impairment.