Measuring the prevalence of uncorrected refractive errors and refractive error coverage among the young working age population in Kasganj district, Uttar Pradesh, India, using rapid assessment of refractive error methodology

Summary

This article presents the results of a population-based cross-sectional survey of individuals aged 15–49 years in the Kasganj district of Uttar Pradesh, India, to measure the prevalence of vision impairment (VI) and identify obstacles to receiving eye care. The study found an age-adjusted prevalence of VI of 1.9%, significantly higher among people over 40. Uncorrected refractive error (URE) was the primary cause of VI in 78% of cases. The study also determined that the main barrier to spectacle uptake was the long distance they had to travel to reach a health facility.

These results strongly underscore the need for targeted interventions that improve access to refractive services and spectacles, which is critical for alleviating the burden of vision impairment and enhancing overall eye health in the community.

This article is part of the supplement ‘Sightsavers at 75: delivering impact through health and inclusion research’ in the journal International Health, published in collaboration with the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in celebration of Sightsavers’ 75th anniversary.