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Original Research
Online Published: 24 Sep 2026
 
RMJ. 2026; 51(4): 1070-1072


Prevalence of visual impairment among schoolchildren in urban slums of Lahore, Pakistan

Abid Hussain, Muhammad Faisal Shams, Naeema Ashraf, Nighat Jabeen, Sajid Hameed.


Abstract
Objective: To determine the prevalence of visual impairment among school children aged 6-15 years in urban slum areas of Lahore, Pakistan.
Methodology: This analytical cross-sectional, community-based study was conducted in two phases in the urban slum areas of Lahore. A total of 733 children aged 6-15 years were recruited through clustered random sampling. Children were screened initially after measuring their baseline visual acuity on a Snellen chart. Children with visual acuity <6/12 were categorized as visually impaired, and optical correction was provided to them. Data were analyzed using SPSS 24.
Results: Out of 733 children, 538(73.40%) had normal visual acuity, and the prevalence of visual impairment was 26.60% (195) before optical intervention. After best corrected visual acuity, 158 (21.55%) had achieved normal visual acuity, and the resultant prevalence of visually impaired children was 5.05% (n=37). No statistically significant difference was found between schoolchildren enrolled in private and public schools (p<0.27).
Conclusion: Routine school-based vision screening is essential for the early detection and intervention for visually impaired children. Training teachers and community members can facilitate eye care professionals while enhancing awareness of referral of eye health within the community, timely referrals, and raising awareness of eye health.

Key words: Visual impairment, prevalence, schoolchildren, urban slums, refractive error, Lahore.


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Hussain A, Shams MF, Ashraf N, Jabeen N, Hameed S. Prevalence of visual impairment among schoolchildren in urban slums of Lahore, Pakistan. RMJ. 2026; 51(4): 1070-1072.

Web Style

Hussain A, Shams MF, Ashraf N, Jabeen N, Hameed S. Prevalence of visual impairment among schoolchildren in urban slums of Lahore, Pakistan. https://www.rmj.org.pk/?mno=294977 [Access: November 11, 2026].

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Hussain A, Shams MF, Ashraf N, Jabeen N, Hameed S. Prevalence of visual impairment among schoolchildren in urban slums of Lahore, Pakistan. RMJ. 2026; 51(4): 1070-1072.


Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Hussain A, Shams MF, Ashraf N, Jabeen N, Hameed S. Prevalence of visual impairment among schoolchildren in urban slums of Lahore, Pakistan. RMJ. (2026), [cited November 11, 2026]; 51(4): 1070-1072.


Harvard Style

Hussain, A., Shams, . M. F., Ashraf, . N., Jabeen, . N. & Hameed, . S. (2026) Prevalence of visual impairment among schoolchildren in urban slums of Lahore, Pakistan. RMJ, 51 (4), 1070-1072.


Turabian Style

Hussain, Abid, Muhammad Faisal Shams, Naeema Ashraf, Nighat Jabeen, and Sajid Hameed. 2026. Prevalence of visual impairment among schoolchildren in urban slums of Lahore, Pakistan. Rawal Medical Journal, 51 (4), 1070-1072.


Chicago Style

Hussain, Abid, Muhammad Faisal Shams, Naeema Ashraf, Nighat Jabeen, and Sajid Hameed. "Prevalence of visual impairment among schoolchildren in urban slums of Lahore, Pakistan." Rawal Medical Journal 51 (2026), 1070-1072.


MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Hussain, Abid, Muhammad Faisal Shams, Naeema Ashraf, Nighat Jabeen, and Sajid Hameed. "Prevalence of visual impairment among schoolchildren in urban slums of Lahore, Pakistan." Rawal Medical Journal 51.4 (2026), 1070-1072. Print.


APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Hussain, A., Shams, . M. F., Ashraf, . N., Jabeen, . N. & Hameed, . S. (2026) Prevalence of visual impairment among schoolchildren in urban slums of Lahore, Pakistan. Rawal Medical Journal, 51 (4), 1070-1072.



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