PREVELANCE OF REFRACTIVE ERRORS AMONG 4TH YEAR MEDICAL STUDENTS OF D.G.KHAN MEDICAL COLLEGE, DERA GHAZI KHAN, PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Background: A refractive error is a very common eye disorder which occurs when the eye cannot clearly focus outside world images ending up with blurred vision but timely detection and intervention can enormously enhance student’s potential during his or her formative years. Medical student’s Refractive status is of immense importance considering the burden of medical studies and their role as future health care providers. Aim: To assess the Prevalence of Refractive errors among 4th Year Medical students of D.G. Khan Medical College, Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, Pakistan. Study Design was Cross sectional Comparative. Place of study was D.G Khan Medical College, Dera Ghazi Khan Duration: Six months.  Results: Myopic were 42/80 (52.5%) out of which 2/42(4.76 %) also had Astigmatism while 1/80(1.25%) had Hyperopia. Severe Myopic were 3.0/80 (3.8%) in both right and left eyes while 10/80 (12.5%) and 11/80(13.8%) fall in moderate category in right and left eyes respectively. Mild were   29/80 (36.3%) in right while 28/80(35.0%) in left eye. Only 2.0/80(2.5%) were having Astigmatism in both eyes along with mild Myopia. Significant association found between Age and sex of medical students with the Refractive errors. Conclusion: According to currents study findings High prevalence of Refractive Errors especially Myopia among female medical students tends to be alarming. It demands implementation of more structured student awareness campaigns focusing genetic factors to help prevent and control more cases of eye defect among medical students, society and Nation at large. Future study can be focused on causes of high Refractive Errors among female medical students.  Key Words: Refractive Error, Myopia, Hypermetropia, Astigmatism and Medical Students.