Demographic Assessment of Low Vision in Niger State, Nigeria

Purpose: The study was conducted to assess the demographic distribution of low vision in Niger State, Nigeria. Methods: The retrospective cross-sectional study design was adopted. The study sample consisted of 306 low vision patients selected from a total of 12,960 clinical records of patients seen over a 5-year period (2012-2016) in three selected public hospitals in Niger State. Diagnostic criterion for low vision was based on World Health Organization (WHO) definition. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPPS) version 21.0. Results: The prevalence rate of low vision was 2.36%. There were more males (184; 60.1%) than females (122; 33.9%). The males had a higher  proportion of the middle-aged (36-55 years; 33.7%) while the females had more of older adults/elderly (≥ 56 years; 33.6%). Low vision was most prevalent among students (39.2%). Glaucoma (118; 38.6%) was the leading cause of low vision. Albinism accounted for more than half (16/31) of low vision cases amongst children while glaucoma (37/91) and cataract (38/91) accounted for 82.5% of low vision cases among older adults/elderly. The majority (115; 37.6%) of patients had severe low vision (VA < 6/60 to 3/60). The uptake of low vision devices was high (217; 70.9%) and the spectacle magnifier (70; 22.9%) was mostly dispensed. Conclusion: The study has provided baseline information on the demographics of low vision in NigerState, Nigeria which could be the basis for the planning of low vision services in the State. Keywords: Demographic, assessment, low vision, Niger State, Nigeria.