Habitual visual acuity in a large urban cohort of Western India and factors influencing poor habitual vision

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine habitual visual acuity (HVA) in a large urban cohort in western India and identify factors associated with poor HVA. METHODS: This was a prospective study conducted over 10 days in September 2018 to assess the HVA in individuals attending a 10-day festival in Western India. Participants who volunteered to undergo vision screening and also filled the questionnaire form pertaining to demographic information including their age, gender, address, income, and educational status were included in this study. HVA was recorded with the distance correction that the participants were wearing when they attended the screening. The study evaluated the prevalence of visual acuity 6/6 or <6/6, 6/12, and 6/18 and the factors associated with lower visual acuity. RESULTS: Of the 6300 participants, 1660 (26.3%) were females. Majority of the participants were from urban background (6084, 96.6%) and were of younger age group (18–40 years––3786, 60.1%; 41–60 years––2187, 34.7%; >60 years––327, 5.2%). HVA was recorded as 6/6 both eyes in 4136 (65.6%), at least 6/12 both eyes in 5691 (90.3%), and at least 6/18 both eyes in 5974 (94.8%) individuals. Only 11 patients (0.17%) had VA worse than 6/60 with only 3 patients (0.003%) having bilateral VA <6/60. Older age, female sex, lower education status, and low annual income were significant risk factors for poor HVA. CONCLUSION: Poor education, lower income, female gender, and old age are significantly associated with poor HVA even in urban Western India despite relatively easy access to affordable eye care facilities.