A Study on Prevalence of Visual Impairment Among School going Children of Age 10 to 14 years

Abstract

Visual impairment among school children is a raising concern because of increased screen exposure, poor dietand lack of early eye check-ups. It affects academic performance, physical activities and confidence in children. Objectives: • To find the prevalence of visual impairment among school-going children aged 10 to 14 years. • To identify the underlying causes. • To assess the association between mobile usage and visual impairment. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 children aged 10–14 years in a Government School in urban Chennai. Stratified random sampling was used. The data was collected using a structured questionnaire containing 14 questions and Snellen’s chart. Children already using glasses were excluded. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24. Results: The prevalence of visual impairment was found to be 41.5% among the participants. The most commonly reported symptoms were headache (17.5%), eyestrain (12.5%), and watering of the eyes (11%). A statistically significant association was observed between visual impairment and the duration of mobile phone usage (p = 0.001), class duration (p = 0.048), and inadequate intake of green leafy vegetables (p = 0.001). However, no significant association was found between visual impairment and factors such as parental use of spectacles or attendance in online classes

Introduction

Background

• Visual impairment (VI) in children—though less common than in older adults—has a major lifelong impact, second only to cataracts in global eye disease burden.

• It's a key focus of WHO’s VISION 2020 initiative.

• Factors like increased screen time, reduced sunlight exposure, and poor dietary habits contribute to rising cases of myopia and other vision problems.

• VI in children affects school performance, self-confidence, and participation in daily activities.

Study Details

• Design: Cross-sectional study

• Location: Government school in urban Chennai

• Period: August–September 2022

• Sample: 200 students aged 10–14 years, selected via stratified random sampling

• Tools: Structured questionnaire + Snellen's chart (visual acuity test)

• Exclusions: Children already using spectacles

Key Findings

• Prevalence of Visual Impairment:

  • 41.5% of students reported difficulty seeing the blackboard, indicating mild VI.

• Visual Symptoms:

  • 17.5% had headaches, 12.5% eyestrain, 11% watery eyes.

  • 59% reported no symptoms, highlighting the need for active screening.

Associated Factors

• Online Classes (COVID Lockdown):

  • 96% attended, but no significant link to VI (p = 0.727)

• Class Duration:

  • Longer classes (30–45 mins) were significantly associated with VI (p = 0.048)

• Mobile Usage (Game Time):

  • Highly significant association with VI (p = 0.001), though patterns varied

• Diet (Green Leafy Vegetables):

  • Protective effect: Children consuming vegetables regularly had less VI (p = 0.001)

• Parental Use of Glasses:

  • No significant correlation with child’s VI (p = 0.320)

• Reading the Board vs. Class Duration:

  • Highly significant association (p < 0.001)

Discussion and Implications

• Prevalence (41.5%) was higher than other Tamil Nadu studies, possibly due to subjective self-reporting.

• Findings aligned with known risk factors: screen time, long-duration near work, age, and poor diet.

• Gender bias: 65% of participants were female.

• Most affected age group: 14-year-olds, indicating progressive vision deterioration.

Recommendations

• Early, objective screening in schools.

• Limit class durations and incorporate screen breaks.

• Educate children and parents on eye care and nutrition.

• Conduct regular vision camps and follow-ups in schools.

• Further research with clinical assessments and longitudinal studies is needed to refine interventions.

Conclusion

This study highlights a self-reported visual impairment (41.5%) among school-going children aged 10 to 14 years, indicating the need for early detection and appropriate intervention. Key factors such as longer class duration, increased mobile phone usage, and poor dietary habitsparticularly low intake of green leafy vegetableswere found to be significantly associated with visual impairment. While online class attendance itself was not directly associated, the duration of visual exposure had a significant role. Additionally, children with mild impairment did not always report overt symptoms, emphasizing the limitations of symptom-based screening and the importance of routine visual assessments in schools. Considering the modifiable nature of many associated factors, school-based eye health programs should focus on educating children and parents about screen time, healthy diet and the importance of regular eye check-ups. Integration of vision screening into routine school health services, especially in high-risk age groups, could play a vital role in reducing preventable visual impairment and supporting better academic outcomes. Implementing routine school vision screening programs at least once every academic year ,educating children, parents, and teachers about the risks of prolonged screen exposure and the need for periodic visual breaks and also promoting daily consumption of vitamin A-rich foods through school mid-day meals and awareness campaigns might play a significant role in reducing the prevalence of visual impairment among school going children.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Dr. Arun Murugan, Dr. Kavitha, Dr. Naveenkumar, Dr. Menakasri, Dr. Nitheeshkumar, Dr. Koushik, Dr. Melvin Anto, Dr. Niranjana. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.