Patterns of Refractive Errors at Independent Medical College, Teaching Hospital, Faisalabad

Abstract

our population and to suggest glasses for huge functional improvement of individuals.    
Study Design: Descriptive Study 
Place and Duration of Study: This conducted at Independent University Hospital Faisalabad in collaboration with 
Allied Hospital (Punjab Medical College) Faisalabad from15 March 2010 to 31 March 2011. 
Materials and Methods: Patients of all age groups presented in Eye OPD with the complaint of visual acuity 
having less than 6/12, were underwent history and detailed examination (Including retinoscopy, autorefraction and 
cycloplegic refraction in children less than 8 years).  
Exclusion criteria: Patients with corneal opacity, glaucoma, penetrating trauma, cataract,aphakia, macular or retinal 
diseases were excluded. 
Results:   Out of 8215 OPD patients 658 (8%) had refractive error. Mean age was 31 years. Age varied from 5 to 66 
years. New patients were 533(81%), while patients required refinement of refraction, were 125 (19%). Individuals 
up to the age of 15 years were 119 (18.08%), between 16 to 29 years were 196 (29.79%), 30 to 40 years were 151 
(22.95%) and above 40 years were 192 (29.17%). It was found that male were 260 (39.51%) while female 398 
(60.49%). Myopia was 381 (57.90%) hypermetropia was 122 (18.54%) while astigmatism was 155 (23.56%). 
Myopic astigmatism was 114 (17.33%) and hyperopic astigmtism was 41 (6.23%).All individuals showed 
improvement with glasses. 
Conclusion: Refractive error is very common in our population. Female are affected more commonly than males. 
Myopia is more frequent. Astigmatism also affects almost every fifth patient with refractive error.