Prevalence, pattern, and compliance with spectacles use among the elderly in homes for the aged in South India: The Hyderabad Ocular Morbidity in Elderly Study (HOMES)

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to report on the pattern of spectacles use and compliance among the elderly (aged ≥60 years) in homes for the aged in Hyderabad region in Telangana State, India. Methods: Participants were recruited from 41 homes for the aged centres for comprehensive eye health assessments. A questionnaire was used to collect information on current and past use of spectacles, type of spectacles, spectacles provider and amount paid for the spectacles. For those that reported using spectacles in the past, information was collected on the reasons for their discontinuation. Compliance with spectacles use was assessed after eight months of provision of the spectacles. Results: A total of 1182/1513 participants were examined from 41 homes for the aged in Hyderabad, India. The mean age of the participants examined was 75 years (standard deviation (SD): 8.8 years; range: 60–108 years); 764 (64.6%) of them were women and 240 participants (20.3%) had no formal education. The prevalence of spectacles use was 69.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 67.1–72.4; n = 825). Bifocals were the most commonly used type of spectacles (86.7%) followed by single vision glasses for distance vision (7.4%). Private eye clinics were the largest service provider (85.5%) followed by local optical outlets (6.9%) and other service providers (7.7%). The prevalence of spectacles compliance was 81.5% (211/259). Conclusion: Use of spectacles and compliance are high among the elderly living in residential care homes in the Hyderabad region. Spectacles use can be further improved by periodic eye assessments along the lines similar to school eye programs, which can immensely benefit this vulnerable, aged population.

Evaluation of objective and subjective binocular ocular refraction with looking in type

“…However, conventional refractive tests cannot simultaneously confirm the ocular refraction in either eye. Thus, the lack of binocular refraction methods may cause some patients to feel discomfort while wearing their eyeglasses [ 12 ].…”

Evaluation of objective and subjective binocular ocular refraction with looking in type

“…Further, some patients feel discomfort after wearing the eyeglasses. [12] Chronos (Topcon Corp., Tokyo, Japan) that allows objective and subjective refraction to be performed on a single instrument was developed for overcoming these issues in clinics. Objective and subjective ocular refraction tests using Chronos can perform well for maintaining binocular vision, because the subjects are looking at left and right lens-barrel simultaneously with both eyes.…”