Background & Objectives: The majority of curable vision impairment and preventable blindness worldwide is caused by refractive errors (RE). Age, gender, ethnicity, region, and advancements in eye care services with passage of time all affect the prevalence of refractive errors. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of refractive errors and evaluate the awareness among school students in Larkana Pakistan

Methods: This is a cross-sectional, conducted among school students in Pakistan, A total number of 322 students were enrolled. Participants were examined for refractive errors and interviewed about their awareness regarding symptoms, risk factors and treatment options for RE.

Results: It was observed that 20.3% had myopia and only 9 (2.8%) participants were hypermetropic. Out of 320, 76.7% participants opted headache as symptoms of refractive errors, followed by 81.37% and 86% pain in eyes and blurred vision. While 92.55% opted Snellen chart test as method of assessment for refractive errors. Comparatively lesser number of students were aware about refractometer and retinoscopy, 96.89 % participants opted spectacles as retention option followed by contact lenses, laser surgery and medication 85.7%, 81.68% and 44.1% respectively. Chi Square Test of association revealed that there was no significant difference of awareness among students of matric and intermediate level.

Conclusion: A sizable proportion of refractive errors were observed among school students. The awareness regarding refractive errors was poor among students. Myopia is reported to be the most common refractive error. More awareness programs, for school students are recommended for better outcomes.

Keywords:  Emmetropia, Refractive error, Myopia, School students