Evaluation of Presbyopia in a Peripheral Eye Clinic in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Background: Uncorrected presbyopia is a significant and increasing cause of visual disability globally. Presbyopia is the decline of the focusing ability of the crystalline lens due to loss of elasticity which makes it less effective in accommodation. Presbyopia is primarily age-related and as the world’s population increases, ages and becomes more literate, cases of presbyopia correspondingly rises.

Aim: To evaluate the distribution of presbyopia among patients who presented at DDS Eye Centre and Surgery, Port Harcourt over a 3 year period of study.

Methods: A hospital-based study from January 2014 to December 2016. All the patients diagnosed with presbyopia who consented were recruited in this study. The patients’ ages, gender, relevant past medical and ocular history was recorded. Their refraction was done objectively with Rekto ORK 11 Auto Ref-Keratometer and later subjectively refined. Presbyopia was defined if subjects were unable to read N6 optotype with distance correction and if they were able to read at least one more line with the addition of a plus lens. Data were analysed with statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) 20.

Results: Eight hundred and thirty-six (180 males and 656 and females) participated in the study. The mean age was 54.2±12.4 years. Presbyopia occurred between the age range of 31 and above. The prevalence of presbyopia was higher among the female gender.

Conclusion: The age of presentation of presbyopia could be as early as 31 years in our local setting. Females are more likely to develop presbyopia earlier than their male counterparts.