Prevalence and Pattern of Visual Impairment among Adult Population in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria
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Date
2023-03
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Sciencedomain International
Abstract
Aim: Visual impairment is a public health problem globally. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and pattern of visual impairment among adult population in Mangu Local Government Area (L.G.A), Plateau State, Nigeria.Study Design: A population-based descriptive cross-sectional survey of 802 adult population aged 18 years and above was conducted in Mangu L.G.A, Plateau State, Nigeria using a multi-stage cluster random sampling design.Methodology: Subjects were evaluated using a magnifying loupe, Snellen E chart, direct ophthalmoscope and torchlight. Vision status was defined using World Health Organization categories of visual impairment based on presenting visual acuity (VA).Results: Out of a total of 960 respondents enumerated for the study, 802 (83.5%) adults participated. Prevalence of blindness (presenting VA of less than 3/60 in the better eye) was 8.1%; prevalence of low vision (presenting VA of at least 3/60 but less than 6/18 in the better eye) was 27.6%; prevalence of overall visual impairment (presenting VA less than 6/18 in the better eye) was 35.7%. Prevalence of visual impairment was higher in males (40.8%) than in females (34.9%), although not statistically significant (p=0.098). Prevalence of blindness and impaired vision increased significantly with increasing age, from 21.7% at 20 - 39 years to 83.6% among those aged ?80 years (P < 0.001).Conclusion: Much can be done by individuals, governments and non-governmental organizations to reduce so much blindness and vision loss through cost-effective interventions such as wears of sunglasses and other preventive measures to prevent ultraviolet radiation effect on their eyes.
Description
Keywords
Visual impairment, blindness, prevalence, cataract, refractive error
Citation
Moyegbone J. E, Nwose E. U, Kio F. E, Agege E. A, Omatsuli T, Odoko J. O, Akuirene O. A.. Prevalence and Pattern of Visual Impairment among Adult Population in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. Ophthalmology Research: An International Journal. 2023 Mar; 18(2): 18-29