Cost-effective screening of schoolchildren for refractive errors.

Uncorrected refractive errors are the main cause of severely impaired vision in India. This in itself indicates that there is a shortage of basic eye care services and spectacles, and too little public awareness of the need for them. A simple method for screening schoolchildren for refractive errors is described and the results are analysed. Evaluation of the materials used and the accuracy of the screening shows that this method can be used successfully by teachers.