Prevalence of Presbyopia, Refractive Errors and Usage of Spectacles among Commercial Intercity Vehicle Drivers in Jos, Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: To determine the prevalence of presbyopia, refractive errors and usage of spectacles among Commercial Intercity Vehicle Drivers in Jos-Nigeria.
Method: A descriptive cross-sectional survey of commercial intercity vehicle drivers at the Bauchi Road Motor Park, Jos, was undertaken in November 2006. The study instrument was a semi-structured questionnaire. Information obtained included demographic data, operational route, history of involvement in road traffic accident (RTA), cause of RTA and ocular history, type and usage of corrective spectacles if any.  Each participant had a detailed ocular examination.
Result: Up to 221 of 268 drivers were recruited (coverage: 82.5%). Their age ranged from 20-90 years (mean: 44.2 years, SD 9.2). 78 (35.3%) persons complained of difficulty in reading small prints while 17(7.7%) persons complained of poor distant vision. Ten (4.5%) drivers had a visual acuity of <6/12 and thus did not qualify to possess a driving licence. Presbyopia was the most common ocular diagnosis observed in 94(42.5%) persons. Most presbyopes 63 (67.0%) needed +1.50 to +2.00 DS correction. Only 10(10.6%) presbyopes had spectacles with presbyopic correction. Six (2.7%) persons had myopia while one person (0.5%) had unilateral aphakia.
Conclusion: The prevalence of Presbyopia is high. Myopia is the most common refractive error. Usage of corrective spectacles is very low. There is an urgent need for enforcement of minimal visual standards for the purpose of certification and re-certification for drivers licence in Plateau State and Nigeria at large.