Abstract

The main goal of this study was to find the problem of astigmatism among children with refractive errors who are were in the age group of 3 #x2013; 14 years. A two stage screening process was envisaged and 5649 children were screened to find visual abnormalities and other defects. Of them, 1233 (21. 8%) were selected for second stage screening. The total ophthalmological manifestations found were 7.8% (78/1000). The analysis of different morbidities included refractive errors 6. 2% and other eye diseases 1. 6%. Among refractive errors 2.3% were unilateral and 3.9% were bilateral involvement. The prevalence of simple myopia was 1.65% and of hypermetropia was 0.95%. Yhe astigmatism found was 1.5% unilaterally out of 2.3 of total unilateral refractive errors. Bilateral astigmatism was 2.1% out of 3. 9% of total bilateral refractive errors. Findings indicate the existence of more astigmatic errors among Sri Lankan children either unilaterally or bilaterally.