Aim: To determine the prevalence of low vision and factors influencing visual acuity among students.
Materials & Methods: This descriptive study was carried out within 3months in a tertiary institution in eastern part of Nigeria. A non-probability purposive sampling technique was used to select 120 volunteered subjects which included only students (individuals using corrective lens and had undergone eye surgery were excluded). The visual acuity of the selected subjects was measured using Snellen chart. Data obtained was analyzed using SPSS version 25.
Results: Among the 120 selected volunteers aged 15 – 35 years; 40% were males and 60% were females. Greater proportion (79.17%) had mild vision loss with 50.83% having visual acuity of 6/9, 23.33% having visual acuity of 6/12 and 5.00% having visual acuity of 6/18; while 20.83% had normal vision with visual acuity of 6/6. Factors that may influence visual acuity among students includes; light (tube light: 77.50%, dim light: 10.83%, other light: 11.67%), period of exposure to light (30 – 40 minutes exposure: 22.50%, exposure for 40 minutes – 1 hour: 55.83%, above 1 hour exposure: 21.67%) as well as exposure to computer screen, television screen and phone screen. This study finding also suggests that heredity and congenital factors may also influence visual acuity.
Conclusion: There was high prevalence of low vision among the studied student population, which may be due to influencing factors of visual acuity mentioned in this study. Hence, sensitization on the impacts of factors influencing visual acuity and personal eye care is needed among students to prevent loss of vision.