Abstract

Refractive error occurs when light rays are not properly focused on the retina. The purpose of the research was to evaluate eye refraction as an approach to vision improvement among Asaba metropolitan secondary school pupils, Delta state, Nigeria. A total of 259 participants who ranged in age from 10 to 17yearswere co opted, and these were made up of 141 female and 118 male students. Distant acuity was determined using Snellen chart at 6m; Pinhole assessment was observed for uncorrected 6/12 or worse visual acuity and Subjective refraction assessment for improved visual acuity using the pinhole. Study analyzed data using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22.0, descriptive statistics, and Chi-square analysis at p=0.05. Refractive error was statistically prevalent in the study population at 123 (47.5%) with myopia being most prevalent at 22.78% (59). Male accounted for 47 (18.1%) with myopia accounting for 21 cases, hypermetropia was observed in 14 cases (5.4%), and astigmatism were 12 cases (4.6%). However, female accounted for 76 (29.3%) with myopia being 38 cases (14.67%), astigmatism reported as 22 cases (8.49%), and hypermetropia 16 cases (6.18%). The study observed that there is a statistically significant link between age, sex, and the distribution of refractive defect in the study population. Conclusively, the study advocates that school entrance policies in developing nations should include vision screenings and include eye examinations annually for all students as early detection and treatment of refractive errors will improve vision.