Prevalence of refractive errors in medical students of the National University of Asunción.

Abstract

Background: Refractive errors (RE): myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism, are cause of decreased visual acuity. According to WHO, ca. 153 million people suffer from visual disability due to untreated RE. We seek to know the prevalence of these errors in students, considered as risk population. The aim was to determine the prevalence of RE in medical students of Medical Sciences Faculty of the National University of Asuncion.

 Methods: Descriptive observational study, cross section, non-probabilistic sampling for convenience. 95% confidence level, considering p<0.05 as significant. Sample size of 208 students. Between January to March of 2018 in the UNA Faculty of Medicine, “Ciencias Básicas” building. Variables will be represented by measures of central tendency. Surveys on Google forms. Data consigned in Microsoft Excel 2013 spreadsheets and analyzed in EpiInfo. No limitations.

 Results: Of 120 women and 88 men, 71.63% presented RE: 80.53% myopia, 43.62% astigmatism, 7.38% hyperopia. 37.58% began to use glasses in the course of admission to the University, 32.89% during school, 19.46% in childhood and 10.07% during University. Of the students who referred symptoms and consulted with an ophthalmologist: 82.78% blurred vision, 53.64% headache, and 16.55% periocular pain. 78.8% had a family history of RE. Carriers of another ocular pathology 2.88%.

 Conclusion: In relation to other works, the prevalence of RE is increased, also, the index of myopia. Predominates the number of students that began to suffer in the course of admission.