Refractive errors in

children and School

health services
DIPAK THIRUVENGADAM
Roll.No:17
 CONTENTS
• REFRACTIVE ERRORS AND
SCREENING
• TREATMENT
• ASPECTS OF SCHOOL HEALTH
SERVICE
 Refractive errors and screening
• The American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and
Strabismus—strabismus is more commonly known as crossed
eyes—recommends regular vision screening from the time a
child is born until he or she is 21 years old. Most schools and
pediatricians in the United States provide vision screenings
for children and teens. 
• If a child displays any signs of poor vision or poor eye health
in these screenings—or if your child tells you or a day care
provider or teacher that some objects are difficult to see—
doctors recommend that you bring your child to an
ophthalmologist or optometrist for a more thorough eye exam.

This exam can determine if your child has refractive error or a

nother eye condition
 Contd.
• For adults, doctors recommend periodic eye exams after
age 21 to identify any changes in vision or eye health and
to maintain good vision at every stage of life.
• After age 40, many people begin to experience
presbyopia, which makes reading and seeing objects up
close more difficult.
• Eye doctors also screen for conditions such as glaucoma
, which leads to
damage of the nerve that connects the eye to the brain, a
nd
cataract, which clouds the lens of the eye.
 TREATMENT
• Eyeglasses are the simplest and safest way to
correct refractive errors. Your eye care professional
can prescribe appropriate lenses to correct your
refractive error and give you optimal vision.
• Contact Lenses work by becoming the first
refractive surface for light rays entering the eye,
causing a more precise refraction or focus. In many
cases, contact lenses provide clearer vision, a
wider field of vision, and greater comfort. 
School health service
 Health problems of the
school children
Infectious Intestinal
malnutrition diseases parasites

Diseases of
Dental caries.
skin,eye and ear
 Objectives of school health
service
The promotion of positive
health

The prevention of diseases

Early diagnosis,treatment and

follow up defects.
Awakening health
consciousness in
children

The provision of
healthful environment.
 Aspects of school health service
1.Health appraisal
It consists of
periodic medical
examination and
observation of
children by class
teacher.
• The initial examination includes a
careful history and physical
examination of the child.
• And also tests for vision ,
hearing and ,
speech .
 2.Remedial measures and
follow-up
• Medical
examinations
should be
followed by
appropriate
treatment and
follow up.
 3. Prevention of communicable
diseases
A well planned
immunization
programme
should be drawn
up against the
common
communicable
diseases.
4.Healthful school environment
 The following are suggested for
good sanitation,
• Location
• Site – the school health committee
recommends,
10 acres of land for higher elementary
school.
5 acres for primary schools.
• Structure
• Class room – per capita space should not be
less than 10 square feet.
Furniture
• Doors and windows
• Color
• Lightning
• Water supply
• Eating facilities
• Lavatory
 5.Nutritional services
• Nutritional disorders
are widely prevalent
among school
children, particular
deficiencies relating
to proteins, vit A, C ,
thiamine, and
riboflavin, calcium ,
and iron.
Midday school meals
“No profit no loss basis”
 6.First aid and emergency
care
• All teachers should
receive adequate
trainings.
• The emergencies
commonly met within the
school are,
- accidents
- medical emergencies
like gastroenteritis ,colic ,
epileptic fits and fainting.
 7.Mental health
• The school is the
most strategic
place for
shaping the
child’s behavior
and promoting
mental health.
 8.Dental health
• Dental caries
and
periodontal
disease are the
two common
dental disease
in India.
 9.Health services
• Schools should be
responsible for the
early detection of
refractive errors,
treatment of squint,
and amblyopia, and
detection and
treatment of eye
infections such as
trachoma.
 10. Health education
• Health education
in schools should
include
- personal hygiene
- environmental
health
- family life.
 11.Education of handicapped
children
• The ultimate goal
is to assist the
handicapped child
to reach his
maximum
potential , to lead
as normal a life as
possible.
 12.School health records
• These records
should contain
- Identifying data
- Past health history
- Records of finding of
physical
examination and
screening tests and
record of services
provided.
Immunization schedule