Interview: “Refractive Error In kids Is A Public Health Problem”

The 27th annual congress of ophthalmologists focuses on Refractive Errors. Why the focus on such a theme?
Refractive errors are a type of vision problem that makes it hard for the person to see clearly. They happen when the shape of your eye keeps light from focusing correctly on your retina (a light-sensitive layer of tissue in the back of your eye). Refractive errors are the most common type of vision problems and uncorrected refractive errors is a common cause for low vision (blindness). It is an important problem to address especially amongst children, for it easily goes unnoticed as the child will hardly complain of not seeing well.

Uncorrected refractive errors in children can lead to poor visual development causing a condition known as amblyopia in which there is poor vision despite a normal eyeball and visual system. Detecting and correcting refractive errors in kids is a public health measure necessary for the fight against blindness. Although there is no national statistics on the situation of refractive errors in the country, hospital based studies show that it is the number one reason for consultation in most ophthalmic practice. In Cameroon, the number one cause of blindness is cataract. Even after a cataract surgery, at times we still need to prescribe glasses because there is a residual refractive problem.

How are refractive errors manifested and how can they be corrected?
There are no characteristic manifestations of refractive errors. That is why screening is important especially in children. However, adults with refractive errors could complain of visual fatigue, headaches, blurry vision, tearing, itchy eyes, and red eyes, just to name a few. But none of these symptoms are very specific to any type of refractive errors. The problem is corrected through the wearing of eye glasses after doing the necessary measurement to know the power of the glasses that should be prescribed. In other setting, the patient can use contact lenses depending ...