Weight and sight: Association between body mass index and visual efficiency skills of university students

Abstract

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) and visual efficiency skills of university students. METHODS: This study adopted an analytical and descriptive methodology whereby a comprehensive screening of 385 university students was conducted. Ultimately, 116 subjects were selected to ensure judicious distribution of subjects across the four categories of BMI. These 116 subjects were subjected to visual efficiency testing parameters, as referenced from “Clinical Management of Binocular Vision,” by Scheiman and Wick. RESULTS: BMI and visual efficiency anomalies were observed to be correlated with statistical significance to each other as indicated by a P = 0.018 and χ 2 = 15.22. It was also observed that the obese category exhibited the highest prevalence of accommodation and vergence anomalies, followed by the underweight category, as discerned from a detailed analysis of subjects classified according to the BMI categories. These findings imply a noteworthy and potentially deleterious impact of BMI on the visual system and underscore the importance of regular screening for visual efficiency skills in individuals across various BMI categories. CONCLUSION: This study established a compelling association between BMI and visual efficiency skills anomalies. Consistent with prior research, the findings of this study suggest that individual with higher BMI is more prone to experiencing such anomalies.