Abstract
This study was carried out to ascertain the causes and
prevention of refractive errors among students of Federal Government College,
Enugu. The rationale were to ascertain the level of knowledge of students about
refractive errors, to find out the level of knowledge of students on the causes
of refractive errors and to determine what they know about the various ways of
managing refractive errors. The findings from the study will help to raise the
level of awareness of both parents and school administrators on the causes of
refractive errors, measures to prevent refractive errors and various management
strategies. Related literature on the topic was reviewed and relevant theory
applied. The study population was made up of 1,100 JSSI students admitted into
Federal Government College Enugu in 2013/2014 academic session. Sample size of
293 was derived using Taro Yamane statistical formular. Descriptive method was
used for the study and questionnaire was the instrument used for data
collection. The collected data was analyzed using frequencies and percentages
and presented in tables and charts. After data analysis, findings revealed that
majority of the students rightly identified refractive error as “problem of the
eye and vision” as well as attributed not seeing clearly as due to refractive
error. Most of the respondents equally indicated injury to the eye through
throwing of objects like rubber band, stick, pen or pencil on the eye as causes
of refractive error. Majority of the students also rightly identified “inability
to read/see near objects clearly and “inability to read/see far objects clearly
as symptoms of refractive error. Finding also showed that most of the students
believe that refractive error can be managed through wearing of
prescribed eye glasses. Based on the findings, the researcher recommended among
other things that there is need for periodic school eye health visits by health
team made up of ophthalmologist, optometrists and ophthalmic nurses which will
help in early diagnosis and management of refractive errors in school children.
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