Comparative study of prevalence of refractive errors in autistic and non-autistic children in Abuja

Emoefe Sunny  Odjimogho; Eghonghon Juliet  Ibhaze-Baror; Ejuvwevwokoghene Stella  Odjimogho

Emoefe Sunny Odjimogho Department of Optometry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City
Eghonghon Juliet Ibhaze-Baror Department of Optometry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City
Ejuvwevwokoghene Stella Odjimogho Department of Optometry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City

Keywords: Autistic children, Non-autistic children, Refractive errors

Abstract

Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder in children which is mainly characterised by poor communication skills including visual challenges. This study was aimed to comparing the prevalence of refractive errors in 24 (50%) autistic and 24 (50%) non-autistic children that were attending two special schools and two normal schools in Abuja metropolis. Each group of 24 subjects consisted of 12 (25%) males and 12 (25%) females with a mean age of 8.9 ± 2.6 years and 7.9 ± 2.2 years respectively. The 48 subjects were subjected to same examination procedure from 9.00 am-2.00 pm daily in designated schools. The visual acuity charts for distance (3 meters) and near (40 cm) consisted of Goodlite LEA symbol charts model #250150 (far) and Goodlite LEA symbol acuity charts model #250800 (near), respectively. These are paediatric acuity charts which consisted of various symbols that are replicated in the response key-pads held by the subjects. The retinoscopic findings served as a guide to determine the refractive status for each subject using a trial frame with trial lens set. The results revealed that the prevalence of refractive error in the study population was 41(85%). Myopic-astigmatism was the most common type of refractive error in both autistic and non – autistic subjects, with 12 (50%) and 9 (37.5%) respectively, while hyperopia was the least common with 01 (4.2%) in each group. The data were analysed using the Fisher’s exact test of independence for the first research hypothesis which showed that there was no significant difference in the prevalence of refractive errors in autistic and non-autistic subjects (p=0.828). There was also no significant difference in the types of refractive errors by gender in autistic and non-autistic subjects (p = 0.068). The need for early diagnosis and management of refractive errors in autistic children is, therefore, advised to optimise visual function.