Iris Publishers- Open access Journal of Ophthalmology & Vision Research | Coping with the Burden of Eye-Care Delivery

Authored by Augustine U Akujobi

 

n recent times, ocular and visual anomalies have grown significantly among various populations of the world. In many parts of the globe, the number of persons who attain old age has increased as a result of improved medical technology and health education. The soaring number of the aged population has inadvertently, contributed in no small measure, to the alarming prevalence of oculo-visual anomalies [1,2]. Apart from its direct implication in the aetiology of oculo-visual disorders, age remains a considerable factor in the causation of certain systemic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, which have been shown to exhibit significant ocular effects [3]. Moreover, other debilitating ocular anomalies, such as cataract, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration [ARMD] and corneal opacity have also been associated with older ages [4].

In addition, the application of various electronic and computer devices in vocational and social task performances places an undue demand and stress on the oculo-visual system. Consequently, the prevalence of computer vision syndrome [CVS] or digital eyestrain [DES] has escalated, in some cases to 72% [5], 67.4% [6], 50% [7] and 54.6% [8] in many other instances, while Dessie, Adane, Nega, Wami & Chercas [9] have recently put the figure at 69.5%. School enrolments have improved in both the developed and developing nations, probably as a result of the sustained advocacy for child education by various local and international agencies. Even among the developing and under-developed countries, makeshift educational resources are provided for displaced persons in refugee camps to ensure their continued stay within educational facilities. The more the number of school enrolments, the more the children that need functional vision for academic purposes, therefore, regular school eye health programmers are needful for early detection and management of oculo-visual anomalies and the referral of ancillary cases.

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