Pattern of Refractive Errors Distribution among Ophthalmic Patients at a Leprosarium in Kano State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Uncorrected refractive errors are the main causes of moderate and severe visual impairment.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine  the pattern of Refractive Error distribution among leprous population attending Yadakunya leprosy hospital, Kano.

Methods: A Cross sectional  descriptive study was conducted on 283 participants aged 14 years and above. Examination of the external and internal ocular structures of the  participants was performed with pen torch and ophthalmoscope. Visual acuity was assessed/measured unaided and pinhole method with a Bailey-Lovie  design tumbling E chart at 4 meters. The objective refraction was carried out with streak retinoscopes, followed by subjective refraction.

Results: Out of  the 283 participants, 171 (60.4%) were males, 112 (39.6%) were females and the mean age was 46.8 ±18 years. The prevalence of refractive error in this  study was 86.9%. The predominant refractive errors among the participants with normal to mild low vision were astigmatism 92 (32.5%), hypermetropia  59 (20.9%) and myopia 39 (13.8%), while among those with low vision and blindness were astigmatism 44 (40.4%), hypermetropia 30 (27.5%) and myopia  20 (18%).

Conclusion: The high frequency of refractive error (86.9%) in this study revealed that leprosy could have contributed to the refractive error  statue of the participants. Therefore, a focus on the optical correction of refractive errors and low vision rehabilitation would lead to a significant reduction in the burden of avoidable blindness among leprous patients who utilize Yadakunya leprosy hospital for eye care services.