Hyperopia: Prevalence, Demographic Associations, Pattern and Physiologic Determinants in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

In order to determine the prevalence, demographic associations, pattern and physiologic determinants of hyperopia in the adult population of Imo State, Nigeria. Cross-sectional analytical study was undertaken, results showed that hyperopia was the commonest refractive error (35.2%) in which 60% of females in the study were hyperopic. Females aged 40-49 years were in the majority. A high prevalence of hyperopia was noted among the rural dwellers. Hyperopia of +0.50DS to +1.00DS p-value=0.000 were statistically significant between study and control groups (56.7% and 85.0% of study and control groups respectively). Hyperopic astigmatism was present but simple hyperopia was in the majority, 98.7% and 99.3% of study and control groups respectively. Contributory factors were environmental influences, poor nutrition and irrational use of quines as first line drug for malaria. Hyperopia was the dominant refractive error in this study. Majority of the hyperopes were domiciled in a rural area. The physiologic determinants of hyperopia, were age, gender, nutrition and drug use. To achieve the targets of Vision 2020 we recommend periodic visual examination and visual health education.

Keywords: Hyperopia, ametropia, visual impairment, Nigeria, Imo State

JOURNAL OF HEALTH AND VISUAL SCIENCES (2013) VOL. 15 (1): 1-9