Association of Asthenopia and Convergence Insufficiency in Children with Refractive Error- A hospital based study

Introduction: It is estimated that about 14% of people in India with visual impairment are suffering from refractive errors. The prevalence of childhood blindness in India is 0.17% and refractive errors alone are the major treatable cause (33.3%) of the blindness. Assessment of Visual acuity should not be the only criteria for detection of ametropia, as children have strong accomodation. Thus it is emphasizing the importance of refraction testing under cycloplegic drugs. Convergence insufficiency is prevalent in about 7.5% of population. Purpose: To study the association of asthenopia and convergence insufficiency with refractive error in children. Methods: 2130 ametropic children up to 16 yrs were screened for asthenopia and convergence insufficiency. Result: Ametropia was found in 40.24% of children .Myopia was prevalent in 47.41% children. Hypermetropia was detected in 15.49% children. Convergence insufficiency was observed in 34.14% of children and asthenopia was found in 82.19% ametropic children. Conclusion: The study reveals that, asthenopia and convergence insufficiency are found to be the most common ocular conditions associated with ametropia.