Prevalence of low vision and barriers to uptake of low vision services in an adult population of Southwest Nigeria

Izuka A Okwudishu¹, Mary O Ugalahi², Bolutife A Olusanya¹, Charles O Bekibele^2
1 Department of Ophthalmology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
² Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan & University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

Correspondence Address:
Mary O Ugalahi,
Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Nigeria

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None

DOI: 10.4103/njo.njo_14_22

Aim: To determine the prevalence of functional low vision and barriers to uptake of low vision services in Oluyole Local Government Area, Oyo State with a view to obtaining data for proper planning of low vision services. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study. Multistage random sampling technique with probability proportion to size was used to select respondents from the L.G.A. The study involved the administration of questionnaires to elicit basic demographic data, ocular history, and barriers to uptake of low vision services as well as ocular examination to determine the causes of low vision. Results: A total of 419 respondents participated in the study, 303 were females with male-to-female ratio of 1:2.6 and a mean age of 49.38 (± 13.17) years. Fourteen (3.3%) respondents were found to have functional low vision. The main causes of functional low vision were glaucoma (32%) and age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) (16%). Functional low vision was strongly associated with older age (p = 0.019) and the main barriers to utilization of low vision services were lack of awareness of the services and financial constraints. Conclusion: A significant burden of functional low vision was found in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State. There is need for regular community-based surveys in other parts of the country to aid proper planning of low vision services in the host communities and the country as a whole. Also, more awareness needs to be created about common ocular diseases and facilities for appropriate treatment of these diseases.

Keywords: functional vision, low vision, low vision services, Nigeria, uptake, utilization