Measuring the prevalence of uncorrected refractive errors and refractive error coverage among the young working age population in Kasganj district, Uttar Pradesh, India, using rapid assessment of refractive error methodology.

BACKGROUND

There is limited evidence on prevalence of uncorrected refractive errors (URE) in younger population. This study assessed prevalence of URE, spectacle coverage and barriers to RE services among individuals aged 15-49 y in Kasganj district, North India.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional population-based survey, where uncorrected, corrected and best-corrected visual acuity and lens status were assessed. Updated WHO definitions were used for VI, URE, refractive error coverage (REC) and effective REC (eREC).

RESULTS

Of 3167 people examined, VI was identified in 73 cases (2.3%). Age-sex adjusted prevalence of URE was 3.2% (2.5-4.1%) which increased significantly above 40 years (8.8%). Females were more affected than males (3.7% vs 2.8%). Presbyopia affected 42.7% of people aged >35yrs, with higher rates among females (44.6% vs males 40.9%). REC and eREC for distance were 32.5% and 27.5%, respectively, with notable gender disparities. REC for presbyopia was 14.7% (males: 19.7%; females: 9.6%). Distance to services (40%), social constraints (28%) and 'low perceived need' (22%) were identified as the key barriers to accessing RE services.

CONCLUSIONS

URE is a major public health challenge amongst working population in rural North India. Targeted interventions to increase coverage are needed to meet WHO's 2030 target.