Association of Visual Acuity with different level of Astigmatism in Paedriatic patients

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the association of visual acuity at different level of astigmatism in patients visiting Shalamar Hospital.

Methodology: Ethical approval of this cross sectional study was obtained from Shalamar School of Allied Health, Lahore. Patients of either gender ranging from 6 to 16 years were included while those above 16 years were excluded. A detailed history of each patient was taken to rule out any existing pathology which can deteriorate the visual acuity of the patient which was followed by pen torch examination to grossly examine the anterior chamber of eye. Visual acuity was measured on Snellen chart which was followed by automated and subjective refraction by single examiner. The findings were recorded on a proforma. Data was entered and analyzed in SPSS version 26 and Chi Square test was applied to check for statistical significance. P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant.

Result: A total of 115 patients (54 females and 61 males) were recruited for this study from ages 6 to 16 years, with an average mean age standard deviation of 3.216 years. 73 patients out of 115 had with-the rule astigmatism with 63.5% whereas 32 patients had against-the-rule astigmatism with 27.8%. Oblique astigmatism was present in 10 patients with the least percentage i.e, 8.7%. Chi-square test, which is parametric test, was used for the statistical analysis.

Conclusion: This study concluded that there were significant results for variables (visual acuity, types of astigmatism) because p-value is less than 0.05 but there is insignificant results between variable (visual acuity, level of astigmatism) because there p-value is greater than 0.05.