The Magnitude of Refractive Error and Its Associated Factors Among Patients Visiting Ophthalmology Clinics in Southern Ethiopia, 2022

Introduction: Refractive error is a vision-impairing condition due to light rays not being able to focus on the retina, resulting in the visual outcome of a cloudy image. It is one of the main causes of central vision impairment globally and in Africa, including Ethiopia. This study was conducted to assess the magnitude of refractive error and its associated factors among patients attending ophthalmic clinics.

Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was utilized. A systematic random sampling technique was applied to select 356 participants. The data were gathered using an interview-structured questionnaire and check list. Then, the data were entered into Epi-data version 4.6 and transferred to SPSS version 25 for further clean up and analysis. Descriptive and analytical statistics were conducted. A binary logistic regression analysis was done, and variables with a p-value of less than 0.25 in univariate analysis were taken for bivariate analysis. Statistically significant was declared at a p-value of less than 0.05 with an adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval.

Results: Among 356 participants, 96 (27.5%), with 95% CI (22.8, 32.1) had a refractive error, of which nearsighted is the most common type (15.8%). Regular use of electronic devices, near working distance (<33cm), less or lack of outdoor activities, history of diabetes mellitus and family history of refractive error were factors significantly associated with refractive error.

Conclusion And Recommendations: The magnitude of refractive error was 27.5%, which is relatively elevated than the previous studies. Clients need to get screened regularly so that refractive defects can be detected and corrected early. Eye care professionals shall make a big concern for patients with a history of diabetes and other medical illnesses since they are related to ocular refractive defects.