Research
Presbyopia Among Health Workers In A Tertiary Hospital in North Western Nigeria
The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of presbyopia among workers at Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Birnin-Kebbi, Nigeria.
The study was conducted using a cross-sectional survey of 145 participants at FMC.
Visual acuity was measured with the Snellen chart, while persons with subnormal vision were examined using pinhole and correction if required. Near vision was tested at a distance of 40 cm with a near vision chart.
The age range was from 35 to 57 years (mean age 44.7 years), including 65.5% males and 34.5% females.
The prevalence of presbyopia was 42.1%, and spectacle coverage was 51.5% with 48.5% participants needing correction, but not using correction.
Lack of awareness and lack of perceived need were the major barriers to non-use of the spectacles, and many of the cohorts chose to remain uncorrected despite their presbyopic errors.
Objective: The aim was to determine the prevalence of presbyopia among workers at Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Birnin-Kebbi, Nigeria.
Results: The age range was from 35 to 57 years (mean age 44.7 years), including 65.5% males and 34.5% females. The prevalence of presbyopia was 42.1%. Spectacle coverage was 51.5% with 48.5% of persons needing correction not using correction. Lack of awareness and no felt need were the major barriers to non-use of the spectacles.
Conclusions: Many of the cohorts remained uncorrected despite their presbyopic errors. There is a need to create more awareness among health workers about presbyopia and its correction. Ensuring adequate treatment of presbyopia among health workers can impact positively on the quality of life and productivity of health personnel.