PREVALENCE AND PATTERN OF VISUAL ABNORMALITIES IN PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN IN OWERRI MUNICIPAL COUNCIL, IMO STATE, NIGERIA

PREVALENCE AND PATTERN OF VISUAL ABNORMALITIES IN PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN IN OWERRI MUNICIPAL COUNCIL, IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Five hundred and twenty nine (529) pre-school children (3-5 years old) from 3 public and 6
private schools in Owerri Municipal local Government Area (OMLGA), Imo State, were
chosen via multi-stage sampling between 8th February and 26th March, 2010 in a study
conducted to screen for the presence of visual abnormalities. They were screened using an
HOTV chart and basic eye examination.

This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study. There were 239 females and 290 males.
Prevalence of visual abnormalities was 12.3% (65 children). The patteren of abnormalities
discovered were allergic conjunctivitis 7.6%, refractive errors 3.2%, strabismus 1.0%, ptosis
0.6%, bilateral lens opacity 0.6%, corneal opacity 0.4%, internal hordeolum 0.2% and
unilateral blindness 0.2%.

There was no significant relationship found between the prevalence of visual abnormalities
and age, sex, nutritional status, social class or type of school attended. A higher proportion of
children in social class 5 were however, found to be attending public schools while most of
the pupils in social class 1 attended private schools.

This study determined that the prevalence of visual abnormalities was high in the study
population. In addition, such high prevalence of visual abnormalities may have serious
implications for academic performance and daily functioning of these children.
It is therefore recommended that all preschool children should have routine screening for
visual abnormalities and those found to have anomalies should be referred to the
Ophthalmologist for further evaluation and treatment so as to prevent complications such as
amblyopia and blindness. It is also recommended that the government should subsidise eye
care for children.
Limitations of the study include the inability to undertake cycloplegic refraction, tonometry
and fundoscopy to ascertain the type of refractive error, identify raised intraocular pressure or
detect anomalies of the optic discs, respectively.

PREVALENCE AND PATTERN OF VISUAL ABNORMALITIES IN PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN IN OWERRI MUNICIPAL COUNCIL, IMO STATE, NIGERIA

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