నైరూప్య

Pattern of Eye Problems in Paramedical Students

Niharika, Sudhir Hegde K, Vandana John Serrao, Rajani Kadri, Ajay Kudva, Asha Achar, and Devika P.

To study the pattern of eye problems in paramedical students. 358 paramedical students of ages between 18 to 24 years were examined at our institute between January 2013 and March 2013. Detailed clinical history and complete ophthalmic examination including best corrected visual acuity, refraction, slit lamp biomicroscopy and fundus examination was conducted on all these students. Out of the 358 students, 53 (14.80%) students had eye problems with the commonest problems being refractive errors (18.44%). 43 students were using spectacles, out of which 36 (83.72%) had residual refractive error with spectacle correction. The others had common eye conditions such as allergic conjunctivitis and blepharitis. Majority of these eye problems need attention as they are preventable and treatable. Hence we recommend health education, regular eye checkup and screening to reduce ocular morbidity among university students.