The impact of presbyopia on the quality of life in a semi-urban community in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Uncorrected presbyopia and its impact on the quality of life was performed as part of a community research towards strengthening the provision of optical services for Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria. Aim: To determine the effect of uncorrected presbyopia on the quality of life of adults of 30 years old and above in Sagamu, Southwest, Nigeria. Setting: This study consisted of the permanent resident adults of the town and village settlements within the local government. Methods: Examination of respondents included distance visual acuity measurement with or without pinhole at 6 metres using the Snellen's chart. Near assessment was performed at 40  centimetres with the distance correction in place if required. The semi-structured questionnaire which contained demographics and near-vision task difficulties, et cetera, was administered. Ethical approval was obtained. The data were entered and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 16 statistical software. Results: The study showed that presbyopes significantly reported not being satisfied with near-vision (p = 0.0001) and requiring help because of near-vision problems (p  =   0.0004) more than non-presbyopes. The most difficult presbyopic activities were reading, writing, sorting grains, threading needle, cutting fingernails and recognising small objects. All were statistically significant (each with p ≤ 0.0001). Conclusion: The impact of reduced near vision on the quality of life in Sagamu, Nigeria, is striking and similar to findings around the world. So, any optical services plan for the local government area has to include presbyopic corrections.