Abstract

ASSESSMENT AND PREVALENCE OF SPECTACLES USAGE AMONG DEGREE COLLEGE STUDENTS

Kavya H.*, Lohith Kumar H. K., Rashmi G. T. and Dr. Nataraj G. R.

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Abstract

Spectacles are optical instruments consisting of a frame which hold a pair of lenses to correct visual disabilities, also for protection, fashion. Spectacles have been included in the essential drug list of the WHO. They are the most frequently used options for correcting refractive errors. The WHO has made refractive error (RE) correction a priority in the global initiative to reduce available blindness. Objectives: The prevalence, causes, and barriers of usage of spectacles and to assess the complications of improper usage of spectacles in different college students. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among different college students at Chitradurga over a period of six months. Results: About 400 respondents are selected in that about 150(37.5%) were engineering students, 98(24.5%) were pharmacy, 84(21.0%) were Bachelor of science and remaining 68(17.0%)s were nursing students. In 400 participants most of students wearing spectacles because they can’t see far away objects clearly(40.3%), some of students also facing barrier during spectacle usage like disturbances(12%), dislikes and some students not wearing spectacles regularly although they knows it may cause complications like blurred vision and headache also. Conclusion: Our study is aimed to assess prevalence, causes, barriers and complications of spectacles usage among degree students, Chitradurga. According to our study the percent of students wearing spectacles is 52.5% (210) out of 400 participants. From our study it’s clear that reasons such as repeated exposure to digital screen, stress, lifestyle habit, nutrition require and genetics influence on usage of spectacles. Improper usage of spectacles will influence on self-esteem and confidence, so proper awareness and professional guidance is needed.

Keywords: Myopia, Visual acuity, Refractive error, Astigmatism, Hyperopia.