Effective refractive error coverage and spectacle coverage among school children in Telangana, South India

Uncorrected refractive error (URE) is one of the leading causes of childhood vision impairment. Increasing effective refractive error coverage (e-REC) is one of the main indicators of WHO’s 2030 global eye health targets. The aim of this study is to estimate the e-REC and spectacle coverage among school children in Telangana, South India.

School children aged 4–15 years in the study locations underwent vision screening using 6/12 tumbling E optotype by trained community eye health workers in the schools. Those failing the initial vision screening and/or found to be having eye conditions were referred to a nearby referral centre appropriately, where they underwent detailed eye examination.

A total of 774,184 children were screened in schools of which 51.49% were boys. The mean age was 9.40 ± 3.27 years. The prevalence of URE was 1.44% (95%CI:1.41–1.46) of which myopia was 1.38% (95%CI: 1.35–1.41). In multivariate analysis, the risk of myopia was higher among older children (Adj.OR: 17.04; 95%CI: 14.64–19.85), those residing in urban areas (Adj.OR:3.05, 95%CI:2.60–3.57), those with disabilities (Adj.OR:2.61, 95%CI:2.00–3.39) and among girls (Adj.OR:1.30, 95%CI:1.25–1.35) (P < 0.001). The overall e-REC was 56.97% and the spectacle coverage was 62.83%.

The need for interventions to improve e-REC to achieve 2030 global eye health target is eminent among children in this region. Improving refractive services through school eye health programs could aid in accelerating this process to achieve the target. Myopia being the most common type of RE, the risk factors included increasing age, urban location, and presence of disability.