Optometry & Visual Performance 244 Volume 13 | Issue 4 | December 2025 Article • Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception of School-Aged Children Towards Spectacle Use in Delta State, Nigeria Kelvin Ucheka Imasua, OD, MPH, Prof Cert Med Ret, Prof Cert Glauc, MCOptom • University of Benin Teaching Hospital • Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria Vivian Ossaidiom Omuemu, MBBS, MPH • University of Benin Teaching Hospital • Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria ABSTRACT Background: Visual impairment is a global public health concern in the younger population. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and perception of school-aged children in Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria towards spectacle use. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among school-aged children in Agbor, Delta State. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 822 school children. Data were collected through a pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaire that gathered socio-demographic information and ocular history, as well as assessments of knowledge about refractive errors, attitudes toward spectacles, and practices regarding spectacle use. Results: A total of 822 schoolchildren participated in this study. The participants consisted of 364 (44.3%) males and 458 (55.7%) females, aged 5 to 17 years, with a mean age (SD) of 10.05 (3.05) years. Only 230 children had heard of the term ‘refractive error,’ among whom 22 children (9.6%) demonstrated good knowledge of refractive errors, while 208 children (90.4%) had poor knowledge. 792 (96.4%) schoolchildren had a positive attitude to spectacle use, while thirty (3.6%) schoolchildren had a negative attitude to spectacle use. Among 36 children wearing spectacles, only 6 children (16.7%) exhibited adequate practices regarding Introduction Refractive errors pose a significant public health challenge,1 as they are the number one cause of visual impairment and the second leading cause of visual loss globally, according to WHO 2010 reports.2-4 They are the most common cause of visual impairment worldwide.4 The WHO estimates that approximately 19 million children are visually impaired, with 1.4 million blind and 17.5 million with low vision, many of whom reside in Africa.4 Uncorrected refractive error (URE) is identified as the primary cause of global visual impairment, with over 90% of those affected living in rural and developing countries.3,4 In a review study,5 it was observed that uncorrected refractive errors were responsible for visual impairments in about 100 million people and blindness in approximately 7 million people. In 2015, it was estimated that 124 million people were blind due to uncorrected refractive errors.6 Refractive errors impact a significant proportion of the global population, regardless of age, sex, or ethnic group.1 Refractive errors can easily be diagnosed, measured, and corrected with spectacles or other refractive corrections to restore normal vision. However, if uncorrected or inadequately corrected, refractive errors can lead to a significant vision impairment and even blindness.7,8 Various Kelvin Ucheka Imasua, OD, MPH, Prof Cert Med Ret, Prof Cert Glauc, MCOptom Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria OD, University of Benin, Nigeria, 2015 MPH, University of Benin, Nigeria, 2023 Professional Certificate in Medical Retina, Univeristy College London, UK, 2025 Professional Certificate in Glaucoma, University of Bradford, UK, 2025 FAAO, 2025 spectacle use, whereas 30 children (83.3%) showed inadequate practices. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that the overall knowledge of refractive errors among schoolchildren was limited, and the practice of spectacle use was insufficient. Based on these results, it is recommended that the Delta State Government enhance the implementation of the school health program to promote greater awareness of eye care and the importance of spectacle use among students. Keywords: knowledge, refractive error, spectacle
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