Contribution of Refractive Errors to Visual Impairment in Patients at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital
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Date
2007-06
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Publisher
Ghana Medical Journal
Abstract
Objective: To determine the contribution of refractive
error to visual impairment in visually impaired
patients attending Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital,
Ghana.
Method: This study was conducted over a period
of 1 year beginning October 2002 at Korle-Bu
Teaching Hospital. Every 4th consecutive new
case attending the eye clinic, aged 6 years and
above was selected and interviewed using a structured
questionnaire. A Snellen’s chart was used
to determine the unaided visual acuity, visual acuity
with spectacles where the patient was wearing
one, and visual acuity with pin hole with or without
spectacles. Improvement in visual acuity by 2
or more lines on the Snellen’s chart when looking
through the pin hole was regarded as an indication
of refractive error.
Results: A total of 1,069 respondents, 594 female
and 475 male were recruited into the study. One
hundred and fifteen (115) patients (10.76%) were
found to have impaired vision (Visual acuity
worse than 6/18 to PL in the better eye). The vision
of 51 of those with impaired vision improved
when looking through the pin hole. Refractive
error with Visual Acuity worse than 6/18 was
present in 4.8% of all patients who attended the
eye clinic. Refractive error was present in 44.3%
of patients with visual impairment.
Conclusion: Visual impairment was a common
presentation and uncorrected refractive error was a
major cause of visual impairment.
Description
Journal Artice
Keywords
Refractive error, visual impairment, vision 2020, low vision