European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

INFLUENCE OF FEEDING PRACTICES ON REFRACTIVE ERROR IN CHILDREN

Ulfat Anjum, Amna Javid, *Saba Akram, Iqra Aftab, Habiba Nasir

ABSTRACT

Background: Eye is the organ of the body, which despite of appearing healthy may not function well due to the impact of certain other systemic as well as ocular confounding factors. The purpose of this study was to find out the influence of feeding practices on refractive error in children. As some researchers have shown the association between breastfeeding and refractive error while others not. Objective: There was one main objective of the study that was to find out the influence of feeding practices on refractive error in children. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study included 323 children between one and half year to 6 years were recruited at out-patients department of tertiary eye care hospital (Al-Shifa). Before going through examination of refractive errors all the children were evaluated for breast feeding in accordance to types of it. After cycloplegic refraction and taking full history from patients complete data was recorded on a structured Questionnaire. For the purpose of accuracy multiple methods were taken for the evaluation of refractive errors. Refractive errors were categorized as myopia and hypetmetropia. Spherical equivalent was taken for cylindrical error. Result: Results showed that there is no significant influence of feeding practices on refractive error in children. Out of 323 children 244(75.5%) were on breastfed and 79(24.5%) on formula feeding. 258 (80%) were with hypermetric refractive error and 65 (20%) with myopic refractive error. There found no significant influence of breastfeeding on refractive error. Other factors like (outdoor, indoor) activities and gestational age may play role in refractive errors. Conclusion: This study showed that there is no significant influence of feeding practices on refractive error in children. There is also need to conduct this study on large measure and more strict criteria to find out the influence of feeding practices on refractive error.

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