Prevalence of spectacles use in Andhra Pradesh, India: rapid assessment of visual impairment project.

BACKGROUND

To assess the prevalence and patterns of spectacles use in South India state of Andhra Pradesh.

DESIGN

A population-based cross sectional study.

PARTICIPANTS

Seven thousand eight hundred subjects aged ≥40 years, sampled from one urban and two locations.

METHODS

Two-stage cluster random sampling method was used to enumerate 7800 subjects. Distance visual acuity and near vision were assessed. A questionnaire was used to collect information on current and previous use of spectacles, spectacles providers and type of spectacles. Among those who discontinued use of spectacles, the reasons were elicited.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The prevalence of spectacles use and spectacle coverage.

RESULTS

In total, 7378/7800 subjects (95.0%) were examined. Among those examined, 53.6% were female, 49.5% of them aged between 40 and 49 years, and 62% of them had no education. The overall prevalence of spectacles use was 29.5% (95% confidence interval 28.5-30.4), 30.3% (95% confidence interval 29.0-31.6) in rural area compared with 27.9% (95% confidence interval 26.1-29.7) (P < 0.05) in urban location. Bifocals (72.8%) were the most common type of spectacles. Private eye clinics were the leading spectacles provider in all three regions. On applying multiple logistic regression, the odds of spectacles use increased with increasing age and were significantly higher for rural residents and those with higher levels of education. The spectacle coverage was 38.0% and 27% for refractive errors and presbyopia, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Although prevalence of spectacles use is moderate, the spectacle coverage for both refractive errors and presbyopia is low. The strategies are required to improve the spectacle coverage in the region.