Attitudes and Beliefs of Undergraduate Students to Spectacle Wear in Ghana

Universally, refractive error is one of the common causes of visual impairment and blindness [1-3]. A total of about 153 million people have been estimated to be visually impaired from uncorrected refractive errors. Out of out this number, about 8 million are blind [1]. Uncorrected refractive error remains the main cause of low vision globally [4]. Refractive errors that go uncorrected could have a huge impact on academic performance; reduce work productivity and negatively impact the overall quality of life. Correction of refractive errors with spectacles is one of the most cost-effective measures to reduce the burden of avoidable visual impairment [1,4,5]. Wearing spectacles to correct refractive errors is integral to the improvement of vision, productivity and quality of life. However there are many psychosocial perceptions about the wearing of spectacles among people especially young adults [6-11]. Generally, ignorance of refractive errors and the benefits of using spectacles to relieve symptoms could be said to be one of the main causes of not wearing spectacles [12,13]. People who need spectacles also shy from wearing them because they would be thought of as being blind or visually handicapped. For others, wearing spectacles could diminish their chances of getting a spouse whereas some also perceive it to be for only the old folks [9,12,14]. Contrary to the above perceptions, people wear spectacles because it improves their appearance and sight; augments their confidence and demeanour; and makes them look innocent and intelligent [12,15,16]. Most psychosocial perceptions to spectacle wear, however, usually results in non-use of spectacles.