Prevalence and Distribution of Refractive Errors among School-going Adolescents: A Retrospective Analysis from Madhya Pradesh, India

The present study aimed to ascertain the prevalence of refractive errors in school going adolescents in the Dewas district of Madhya Pradesh, India. This secondary data analysis utilized data from school based vision screenings conducted in 2021-2022 in 33 schools in rural and urban regions of Dewas district under the National Program for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI). Refractive error was considered as unaided distant visual acuity of 6/9 or less which improved with a pinhole. Screening data of adolescents aged 10-19 years were analyzed using the STATA software, version 15.1. Among the 8071 adolescents studied, 601 (7.44%, 95% CI: 6.88%-8.04%) had refractive errors. Myopia was the most prevalent refractive error seen in adolescents (5.87%, 95% CI: 5.36%-6.40%). The prevalence of refractive errors was higher in females (8.76%) than in male adolescents (5.27%). No significant difference in the prevalence of refractive error was noted between rural and urban regions. In conclusion, a significant burden of refractive errors was observed among school going adolescents in a district of a central Indian state, with 7.44% affected, predominantly by myopia (5.87%), indicative of the need to strengthen cost effective vision screening programs. Future research should focus on identifying barriers and exploring strategies to enhance program delivery, ensure enhanced coverage, monitor adherence to wearing of spectacles, and evaluate outcomes for adolescent eye health.