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Self-refraction accuracy with adjustable spectacles among children in Ghana
Alex Azuka Ilechie1, Samuel Abokyi, Andrew Owusu-Ansah
1*MPhil, OD †OD ‡MSc, OD Department of Optometry, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana (AAI, SA, AO-A, CHA); Discipline of Optometry, School of Health Sciences, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa (SBB-K); and Watborg Eye Services, Kasoa, Central Region, Ghana (AKD).
Self-refraction (SR) using adjustable spectacles provided acceptable vision outcomes for myopic teenagers in Ghana. However, some children experienced inaccuracies in their refractive error measurements with SR.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Optometry
- Public Health
Background:
- Myopia management and accurate refractive correction are crucial for visual development in children.
- Self-refraction (SR) offers a potential alternative for vision correction, especially in underserved areas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the accuracy of self-refraction (SR) using adjustable spectacles (FocusSpecs) compared to cycloplegic subjective refraction (CSR) in myopic teenagers.
- To assess visual acuity and refractive outcomes between SR and CSR.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 203 myopic schoolchildren (mean age 13.8 years) in Ghana.
- Participants underwent SR with FocusSpecs, visual acuity testing (logMAR chart), cycloplegic retinoscopy, and CSR.
- Statistical analyses included Wilcoxon signed rank test and paired Student t test to compare outcomes.
Main Results:
- Self-refraction showed a statistically significant difference in spherical equivalent refractive error (-1.66 D) compared to CSR (-1.22 D).
- Visual acuity correctable to 6/7.5 was achieved by 85.2% with SR, versus 99.0% with CSR.
- Myopic inaccuracy greater than -0.50 D occurred in 15.3% of eyes with SR, associated with older age and spherical power.
Conclusions:
- Self-refraction provides acceptable visual and refractive results for young myopic individuals in rural Ghana.
- Potential inaccuracies, particularly more myopic errors, were observed with self-refraction in some children.
