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2. Master Thesis / Tesis Master
3. Faculty of Health Sciences / Fakulti Sains Kesihatan

Title:	Visual impairment, refractive services and barriers to refractive care services of school children in male',Maldives
Authors:	Fathimath Nestha Mohamed (P93186)
Supervisor:	Rokiah Haji Omar, Prof. Datuk. Dr.
Keywords:	Vision Disorders Refractive Errors Vision Low Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia -- Dissertations Dissertations, Academic -- Malaysia
Issue Date:	2-Oct-2022
Description:	The national eye care plan in the Maldives has included childhood vision impairment and refractive services as one of the priority areas. However, there is a lack of accurate information on the burden of this problem across all age groups, especially among children. Hence intervention strategies cannot be justified, and the impact of such strategies is difficult to evaluate. It is undeniable that significant refractive errors (even corrected refractive errors) at a young age can cause a great impact on one's life. This study aimed to explore the burden of visual impairment and the available refractive services for school children in Male', Maldives. The study was carried out in two phases. Phase one was carried out in two sub-studies. First, refractive records were analysed retrospectively to determine the characteristics of refractive error in a hospital-based population of 5-15 years. Secondly, an online questionnaire was shared with all parents of school children aged 5-15 years in greater Male' region. Phase two was to determine the status of health care facilities providing refractive services in Male'. Key personnel for eye care (ophthalmologist/optometrist) and manager was interviewed, and field visits were conducted. Of 488 records analysed, 42% of the children had uncorrected visual acuity of 6/18 - >3/60 in the better eye, and out of that 62.4% were already using glasses. Prevalence of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism were 53.3%, 4.1%, and 44.5% respectively. Significant anisometropia was present in 10% of the children. Among parents who filled the questionnaire, majority (50.6%), had satisfactory knowledge on symptoms and identification of refractive error. But had poor overall knowledge about refractive error. Most children of the respondents who consulted an eye professional were advised to wear glasses (50.60%) and had good compliance with glasses (84.36%). The most quoted barrier for uptake of refractive services was ‘difficulty in getting an appointment' by 16.1%. The private sector (85.71%) dominated refractive services in Male'. Essential equipment for refraction was available at all facilities. Refractions were carried out by optometrists and ophthalmologists. Contact lens assessment or low vision services were not available at any facility. Human resources and management-related factors were found to be the major barriers to the provision of refractive services (44.68%). In conclusion, refractive error is quite common in Maldivian school children.Most commonly cited barriers for utilization and provision of refractive services were service related. It is important that awareness programs be conducted for parents and school children. Greater accessibility to refractive error management and low vision services is needed in Male' Maldives,Ijazah Sarjana Sains Kesihatan (Optometri)
Pages:	161
Publisher:	UKM, Kuala Lumpur
Appears in Collections:	Faculty of Health Sciences / Fakulti Sains Kesihatan

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