Pattern of Ametropia, Presbyopia, and Barriers to the Uptake of Spectacles in Adult Patients Attending a General Hospital in Kaduna State

AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the pattern of ametropia, presbyopia, and the barriers to the uptake of spectacles among adult patients attending Hajiya Gambo Sawaba General Hospital (HGSGH), Zaria, Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a descriptive hospital-based study. The study population was selected by systematic sampling over a 3-month period (July–September, 2016). A questionnaire was administered for sociodemographic data, patients’ history, and refraction. Patients with visual acuity less than 6/12 or who required at least +1.00DS to read N8 were given spectacle prescriptions and assessed after 2 months to confirm if they purchased the spectacles. RESULTS: Two hundred and nine patients were assessed: 124 (59.3%) females and 85 (40.7%) males. The age ranged from 18 to 75 years with a mean of 45.5. One hundred and seventy-five (83.7%) had ametropia, 100 (47.8%) had presbyopia, and patients having both were 66 (31.6%). Astigmatism was the most common ametropia, 118 (67.4%), followed by hypermetropic astigmatism 33 (18.9%) and myopia 24 (13.7%). Only 97 (46.6%) patients purchased their spectacles, and 92 of them were using their spectacles. One hundred and twelve (52.2%) patients did not buy their spectacles, with cost being most common barrier to the uptake of spectacles. CONCLUSION: There is a high burden of ametropia and presbyopia among patients attending HGSGH, Zaria. Cost of spectacles and ‘no felt need’ were found to affect spectacle uptake. Health information and availability of low-cost spectacles are important strategies in reducing the burden of uncorrected ametropia and presbyopia in Kaduna State.