Ocular morbidity in nursery school children in kilungu division, Makueni district
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Date
2008-10Author
Mutie, Dorothy M
Type
ThesisLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Objective
To establish the magnitude and pattern of ocular morbidity in rural-based nursery school
children in Nunguni zone, Kilungu Division.
Methodology
This is a school-based cross-sectional study conducted in Nunguni zone, Kilungu
division, Makueni District. Nine nursery schools were randomly selected and all the
children present during the study were examined, giving a total of six hundred and two
(602) children aged between 3 and 10 years of age. Visual acuity for each child was taken
and presence of gross stereopsis determined. An orthoptic assessment was done followed
by anterior and posterior segment examination. A torch, +20 dioptre loupe, direct and
indirect ophthalmoscopes were used for this. Objective refraction was done on those
children who either had visual acuity of < 0.6 (Lea chart), <6/9 (E chart) or had a
difference in visual acuity of more than one line between the two eyes. A systemic
evaluation completed the assessment for each child. All children with conditions
requiring management were referred to the eye units at Machakos District hospital or
KNH.
Results
Prevalence of ocular morbidity in nursery school children in Kilungu division of Makueni
District was 26.5% (160/602), the commonest being allergic conjunctivitis (21.8 %).
Other findings included refractive errors (3.0 %), ptosis (0.8%) and squints (0.3%).
Conclusion
The current burden and pattern of morbidity is not adequate to warrant pre-school ocular
morbidity screening program.