The most common types of eye refractive errors in Yemen

Abstract EN

This study is aimed to determine the common types of refractive errors of eyes, in Yemen.

The duration was (12 Weeks).

The examination of patients was carried out in five governorates of Yemen (Sana’a, Aden, Alhuddida, Taiz and Ibb) through optical centers run by professional an optician / optometrist under the supervision of an ophthalmologist.

Measurement of visual acuity for all patients was provided by using standard Snellen E chart.

Visual acuity of 6 / 9 and less in any eye was corrected by using autorefractometer and cycloplegic retinoscopy was also used for some children and spectacles were given.

The out comes of the visual measurement, age, sex and medical history were recorded on data sheets containing assessment quiz and those who were associated with other eye diseases were excluded.

Analysis of data was performed in the computer by using SPSS 13 Windows.

The findings of 934 patients representing refractive errors was as follow : Astigmatism was the prevalent type constituted 58.5 % of the total eyes examined, followed by myopia 34.5 % and hypermetropia 7.0 %.

More than 75 % of 1832 ametropic eye cases were with low degrees of errors ≤ 2D.

15 %.of the total eyes were uncorrected.

Anisomtropia of ≤ 1D constituted 75.6 % of the total 391 anisometropia cases.

It is obvious that the astigmatism was the most prevalent refractive error ; compound myopic astigmatism in particular, among the study groups, followed by myopia.

It is recommended that advance studies should be conducted in the whole Yemen.

More attention to all eye clinics / departments in the public hospitals should be given.