PATTERN OF REFRACTIVE ERRORS AMONG ELDERLY PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY HOSPITAL IN LAGOS, NIGERIA.

Abstract

AIM: To determine the pattern of refractive errors in elderly patients attending Guinness Eye 
Centre, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH): 10 year Review.
METHODS: A descriptive retrospective study, were case records of subjects over 60 years of age 
who had refraction done over that period were studied. Demographic data: age, gender, 
presenting visual acuity, intra ocular pressure, objective and subjective refraction were 
retrieved. Myopia was defined as a Spherical Equivalence (SE) >-0.50DS. Hyperopia SE of >
+0.50DS. Astigmatism was analyzed in minus cylinders and defined as cylinder >-0.50DC. 
Patients with corneal opacity, advanced pterygium, dense cataract, pseudophakia or aphakia
were excluded. Statistical analysis done with Statistical package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 
version 19.0 (SPSS Chicago Il). Categorical variables tested with chi square. p value of <0.05 
statistically significant.
RESULTS: Three hundred and four eyes of 153 patients (38.25%) met the inclusion criteria. 
Mean age 66.01 ± 5.09 years (60 – 83 years). Male: Female 1:2.4. A total number of 204 (67.1%) 
presented with a visual acuity of >6/18, 82 (27%) 6/12-6/36 and 18 (5.9%) had <6/60. 
Hypermetropia was found in 158 (19%), myopia in 15 (5%), and astigmatism 231 (76%) ranging 
from -1DC to -7DC. Astigmatism was the predominant refractive error while against-the-rule 
astigmatism was the most prevalent form. All had presbyopia. Refraction improved the 
proportion of patients with visual acuity > 6/18 from 67% to 99%.
CONCLUSION: Uncorrected refractive errors is a leading cause of visual impairment in the 
elderly. Astigmatism has been found to be prevalent. Correcting refractive errors will improve 
the quality of life in the elderly