THE PREVALENCE OF STRABISMUS AND ASSOCIATED REFRACTIVE ERRORS IN SCHOOL CHILDREN IN AKURE SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT ONDO STATE

Abstract

Associations between strabismus and refractive errors have been reported in
previous studies. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and
association of strabismus with refractive errors in school aged children between
10?16 years. A total sample size of2600 subjects was employed for this study.
Routine eye examinations were carried out on the subjects. Unilateral cover test was
used to detect the presence of strabismus while alternate cover test was used for
measurement of the deviation, thereafter objective and subjective refraction was
conducted on the strabismic subjects. Spearman coefficient correlation test was
used to check for relationship between strabismus and refractive errors. The
prevalence of strabismus in this study was 1.92%.The prevalence of esotropia and
exotropia was 1.15% and 0.65% respectively, followed by hypertropia with a
prevalence of 0.08% and hypotropia with a prevalence of 0.04%. All strabismic
children (n=50) had refractive errors. The prevalence of astigmatism, hyperopia and
myopia was 1.27%, 0.35% and 0.31% respectively. There was positive correlation
between strabismus and refractive errors, (P < 0.05 and ?s was 0.63).The
prevalence of strabismus was low in this study. As the dioptric prism power of
strabismus increased, the dioptric lens power of the refractive error also increased.
Proper detection of refractive errors by eye care practitioners is key in the
management of strabismus as high uncorrected refractive errors could lead to
development of strabismus.