4th WCSET-2015 at Japan
Applied Sciences and Engineering:
Title:
Study of refractive errors among medical students of
Melaka Manipal Medical College at Manipal in India
Authors:
Surekha R. Kamath, Alwin Foo Jar Jun, Yuganesh
Chandrasegar
Abstract:
Refractive error is a defect in the optical system of
the eye which prevents light from being brought to a
single point focus on the retina, thus reducing the
normal vision.The most common types of refractive error
are myopia, hypermetropia and astigmatism. The aim of
our study was to determine the different types of
refractory errors among medical students of 18 – 21
years of age. We also aimed at finding out the various
factors influencing the occurrence of refractory errors
among medical students. In this study, the first year
and second year medical students (n=360) of Melaka
Manipal Medical College, Manipal Campus were included. A
questionnaire with closed and open ended questions was
used in the study. Students were asked to respond to the
questionnaire after taking their informed consent. The
study population comprised of 360 students, out of which
257 (71%) had refractive error. Our study showed that
the females (41.3%) had higher prevalence of refractory
errors when compared to males (30%) of the same age
group. Among the family members of the students with
refractive errors, the parents of majority of the
students’ had refractory errors. Myopia was most common
among all the refractive errors. However, astigmatism
was least in this study group. Majority of the students
had identified their refractive error during primary
(40%) and secondary (29%) school levels. Since students
work often with computers, smartphones and several
others near work activities, there is higher chance of
developing refractive errors. In conclusion, our study
indicated that hereditary and environmental factors
could have led to the development of refractive errors
in these students.
Keywords: Refractive Error,
Medical Students, Prevalence, Myopia, Astigmatism
Pages:
043-045