Determination of refractive error and strabismus in two primary schools

Abstract Refractive errors are frequently found among school children due to various factors such as genetics and lack of parental attention towards regular eye check-ups by an ophthalmologist. It is crucial to conduct visual examinations in schools to identify and address any eye-related issues promptly. Aim: The objective is to evaluate the level of refractive error and strabismus among students in two primary schools located in Babylon City, Iraq. Method: From October 20, 2021, to February 1, 2022, cross-sectional, retrospective research was conducted at two primary schools, Al-Nidal and Al, in Babylon, Iraq, for children aged 7 to 12 years. Result: One thousand twenty pupils. We excluded eight students from this study. They participated (2028 eyes) at two primary schools in the Iraqi city of Babylon. There were 422 male students (41.3 %) and 592 female students (57.9%), mean age was 9.7 ± 1.6 (range, 5-12) years. Congenital, acquired, and normal eyes were found in 78 (7.6%), 62 (6.1%), and 874 (85.5%) students, respectively(P<.001). We found emmetropia most common in two primary schools; myopia was more than hypermetropia, astigmatism, and amblyopia was 80.0%, 9.0%, 7.2%, 2.9%, and 4.1%students, respectively. Conclusion: A study conducted in Babylon, Iraq revealed a high occurrence of uncorrected refractive errors in elementary school students. This finding highlights a significant health issue for young individuals, which calls for immediate action to address and rectify. Regular visual acuity tests should be conducted annually to identify and correct any refractive errors.