Abstract

Abstract Background: Incidence of age related eye disorders in adult population is rising. Thus in order to carry out health promotion activities, assessing the knowledge, attitudes, practices and factors related to each among the vulnerable population is paramount. Methods: A simple random sample of patients of age 40 or above attended to the general medical and surgical clinics of the NHSL were interviewed by interviewer administered questionnaire. Questions were asked to ascertain each participant's socio-demographic data, knowledge on common age related eye disorders namely refractory errors, cataract, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Questions were also asked to determine their attitudes to eye care practices and treatments. All respondents were asked their frequency of eye check-ups and most commonly attending place to receive eye check-ups. Results: A total of 106 participants were assessed. From the results 96.2%, heard of cataract, 50.9% heard of glaucoma and 74.5% heard of diabetic retinopathy. In the knowledge assessment 43.6% were found to be having a good knowledge. Age (within 40 to 58 years), higher level of education up to G.C.E O/L or above, higher level of income and who are/were employed ( currently working, resigned or retired) appeared to be having a good knowledge and the associations were statistically significant. People who have accessed information from medical personnel and mass media also had statistically significant higher knowledge score. People with good knowledge of eye diseases had positive attitudes and positive practices in contrast to people with poor knowledge and these associations were statistically significant. Conclusions: There was a considerable reduction in awareness regarding glaucoma compared to cataract and diabetic retinopathy. Younger age, higher education level, income and employment were found to be associated with good knowledge. Presence of good knowledge has led to have good attitudes and good eye care practices. Information gained from medical personnel and mass media were found to be effective in enhancing public awareness. Recommendations: Knowledge on common adult eye disorders should be improved from the current level in order to have good eye care practices. Enhancing public awareness can be successfully achieved through mass media and medical personnel. Key words: Eye disorders, Knowledge, Attitude, Ophthalmology

Highlights

  • The objectives of this study are to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards common eye disorders and determine factors leading to late presentation to medical care with impending blindness among over 40-year-old patients attending to general medicine and surgical clinics of the NHSL

  • From the results 96.2%, heard of cataracts, 50.9% heard of glaucoma, and 74.5% heard diabetic retinopathy

  • People with good knowledge of eye diseases had positive attitudes (89.1%) and positive practices in contrast to people with poor knowledge and these associations were statistically significant (P=0.018)

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Summary

Introduction

Vision means the ability to see and it is a very important sensory modality to maintain a good quality of life. In terms of the worldwide prevalence of visual impairment, WHO recent statistics stated that 285 million people are estimated to be suffering from impairment globally. 39 million are blind and 246 million have low vision.[1]. 65% of people impaired and 82% of all blind people are 50 years or old.[1]. Visual problems are prevalent on a much greater scale in developing countries than in developed countries. According to numbers from the WHO, 90% of blind people live in the developing world.[1]

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