A STUDY OF VISUAL PROBLEMS IN CHILDREN SCORING LOW GRADES AND THOSE WITH LACK OF CONCENTRATION AT SCHOOL IN PUNE CITY

Abstract

Background: A good vision is important for a student to reach his/her full academic potential. Roughly 80 percent of what a child learns in school is information that is presented visually, hence good vision is essential.

Methodology: The present study was a cross-sectional study conducted on 100 children within the age group of 5 to 10 completed years and scoring low grades at school exams. The study was conducted with the help of predesigned semi-structured questionnaire which was to be filled by parents. The selected students also undergone vision testing, Colour vision testing, refractive errors, Anterior and Posterior segment examination, squint evaluation by us.

Results: Out of the 100 children, 35% children were without any eye problem whereas 65% children showed some kind of vision related problem. It was seen that 55% boys had vision problems compared to 45% in girls. The major visual problems are allergic conjunctivitis (15%), Myopia (22%), convergence weakness (22%), squint (4%) and hypermetropia (4%). Roughly 60% parents were aware about some vision problem in their child.

Conclusion: Of 100 students with low performance in our study, 65% had treatable visual problems. The low performance can be attributed to the low vision but long term follow up is needed to see the improvement in scores and studies.