Refractive errors in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano Nigeria

The aim of the study is to retrospectively determine the pattern of refractive errors seen in the eye clinic of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano-Nigeria from January to December, 2008.

The clinic refraction register was used to retrieve the case folders of all patients refracted during the review period. Information extracted includes patient's age, sex, and types of refractive error. All patients had basic eye examination (to rule out other causes of subnormal vision) including intra ocular pressure measurement and streak retinoscopy at two third meter working distance. The final subjective refraction correction given to the patients was used to categorise the type of refractive error.

Refractive errors was observed in 1584 patients and accounted for 26.9% of clinic attendance. There were more females than males (M: F=1.0: 1.2). The common types of refractive errors are presbyopia in 644 patients (40%), various types of astigmatism in 527 patients (33%), myopia in 216 patients (14%), hypermetropia in 171 patients (11%) and aphakia in 26 patients (2%).

Refractive errors are common causes of presentation in the eye clinic. Identification and correction of refractive errors should be an integral part of eye care delivery.