Comparison between Boys and Girls of Refractive Status in Some Selected Secondary Schools in Dhaka City

Background: Refractive errors are a major cause of visual impairment, affecting 12.8 million children globally, particularly in low-resource settings. Gender differences in refractive errors remain underexplored in Bangladesh, where 40% of school-aged children reportedly face undetected vision problems. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess and compare the refractive status among boys and girls in selected secondary schools in Dhaka City to identify gender-based differences and associated factors. Methodology: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from July 20204 to December 2024 in three secondary schools in Dhaka: Zinzira PM Pilot School and College, Aymona Khatun High School, and Shahjahanpur High School. A total of 175 students, aged 13–18 years, were selected using purposive sampling. Data was collected through pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires and comprehensive eye examinations, including visual acuity and refraction tests, conducted by trained health professionals. The association between gender and refractive status was analyzed using chi-square tests, with significance set at p<0.05. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained prior to the study. Result: Most respondents 62.3% were aged 16–18 years, with a mean age of 16.51±1.45 years; 54.3% were boys. Hyperopia was the most prevalent refractive error 54.9%, followed by myopia 40.8%, with significant associations observed between myopia (p-value 0.041), eye strain (p-value 0.015), and gender, where girls were more affected. The χ² test revealed significant bilateral refractive symmetry for OD_sph (p-value 0.038, right; p-value 0.042, left) and OD_Cyl (p-value 0.025, right; p-value 0.031, left), highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address uncorrected refractive issues. Conclusion: Significant gender differences were observed in refractive status, with girls experiencing more myopia and eye strain. Early detection and gender-specific interventions are essential to address refractive errors and improve eye health among secondary school students in Dhaka.