Prevalence, Determinants and Distribution of Refractive Errors in a Nigerian Community

C. Emerole Gloria^1,2, R. O. Nneli², U. B. Anyaehie³, Okereke Chiamaka³ and E.E . Osims⁴

¹Optometry Clinic, Federal Medical Centre, Owerri Nigeria.

²Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Abia State University, Uturu Nigeria.

³Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus Nigeria.

⁴Department of Physiology, College of Medical Science and Health Science, Abia State University, Uturu Nigeria.

Corresponding Author E-mail: ugobond@yahoo.com  

ABSTRACT: Refractive errors have been identified as major cause of blindness yet there is little known about the prevalence, distribution and determinants in Nigeria. We present the results od a cross sectional analytical study using 3451 adults living in Owerri, Nigeria. Results show a high prevalence of refractive errors (79.5% and 76.6% in the study and control respectively). Hyperopia was the dominant refractive error; while Myopia (23.4% and 19.6%) and Astigmatism (20.9% and 22.5%) was noted among subjects in study and control groups respectively. A higher prevalence exists among rural dwellers and the contributory factors were environmental factors, poor nutrition and use of irrational and uncontrolled use of chloroquines as first line drugs for malaria. To achieve the targets of the Global Initiative for Elimination of avoidable blindness, we recommend Health education on diet, drug use and safe environmental practices especially for people living in rural areas in developing countries.

KEYWORDS: Refractive errors; Eye; Blindness; Nigeria; Imo State

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