Prevalence of Refractive Errors among Medical Students and Identification of Associated Factors
Abstract
Objective: To determine the prevalence of refractive errors among medical students and identify associated
factors.
Study Design: Analytical, cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the Department of Community Medicine at Akhtar
Saeed Medical and Dental College, Lahore from September 2020 to December 2020.
Materials and Methods: The study included 300 medical students using convenience sampling technique. A
self- structured pre- tested questionnaire was used. All medical students including MBBS, BDS, Pharm –D and
allied health sciences were included in the study. Those students who did not give consent were excluded from
the study. Data analysis was done with SPSS version 23. Chi square test of significance was applied to find
association between the variables and p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Refractive error was observed in 203 students (67.7%). The commonest refractive error was myopia
(37%) followed by hypermetropia (23.7%) and astigmatism (7%). The prevalence of refractive errors was
significantly associated with positive family history (p value=<.001), family income per month (p value=0.01)
and mobile use per day (p value=0.001). Higher percentage of refractive error (70.6%) was reported by
participants who were comfortable with light in which they study (p value=0.03).
Conclusion: The prevalence of refractive error was 67.7% among medical students, and myopia was the most
prevalent refractive error. Refractive errors were significantly associated with positive family history, family
income and mobile use per day.
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