BackgroundRaising public awareness and knowledge about glaucoma is a key for early case identification and prevention of blindness. However, awareness and knowledge about glaucoma is unknown at community level, making provision of interventions difficult. This study was intended to assess the awareness and knowledge of adults about glaucoma and the factors affecting it in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsCommunity based cross - sectional study was conducted on 701 adults 35 and above years in Gondar from April 12–30, 2016. Multistage sampling technique was used to select study participants. Interviewer administered pretested structured questionnaire was used to collect data after verbal informed consent. Data were entered into EpiData version 3.1 and analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models and Odds ratio with 95% interval were used to identify factors. P–value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsSeven hundred one adults age 35 and above years were participated with a response rate of 99.3%. The male to female ratio was 1:1.6 with median age of 48 years with interqurtile range of 20. The proportion of awareness was 35.1% (95% CI: 31.5%, 38.6%). Good knowledge was demonstrated in 49.6% (95%CI: 43.3%, 55%) of glaucoma aware participants. Education (primary [AOR: 3.21; 1.73, 5.95], secondary [AOR: 4.34; 2.30, 8.22]; college and above [AOR: 9.82; 4.27, 22.60]) and having eye examination [AOR: 2.78; 1.86, 4.15] were positively associated with awareness of glaucoma whereas older age (65 –74 years [AOR: 0.31(0.21, 0.76]) was inversely related. Level of Education (primary[AOR:2.83;1.04,7.71],secondary[AOR:3.45;1.33,9.41],college and above [AOR: 4.86;1.82,12,99] and having eye examination [AOR: 2.61;1.53,4.45] were significantly associated with knowledge.ConclusionThe study has indicated higher level of awareness and knowledge about glaucoma in urban communities than previous studies. It has also identified educational status, eye examination at least once in life are related with better awareness and knowledge. The present awareness and knowledge should be enhanced through public oriented glaucoma education via mass media and incorporating eye check up as a routine in older people.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12886-017-0542-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

PurposeLack of evidence on the magnitude of unmet presbyopia need, and barriers to uptake spectacles, limit appropriate planning and implementation of the provision of spectacles to address the backlog of uncorrected presbyopia. The purpose of this study was to determine the magnitude of unmet presbyopia need and the associated factors in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.Materials and methodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 2015 in Bahir Dar. A multistage sampling technique was used to sample 729 study participants. Individuals more than 35 years of age who were unable to read the N8 line on a near vision chart unaided or with existing spectacles at 40 cm were considered as having unmet need for presbyopia correction. Distance and near visual acuities were measured by optometrists using Snellen illiterate E chart at 6 m and 40 m, respectively. Data were entered into Epi Info 2002 and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 16.0. Odds ratio (with 95% confidence interval [CI]) was used to determine the strength of association. P-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.ResultsA total of 729 people were included in the study (response rate of 99.5%). The mean age ± standard deviation of participants was 48.9±8.8 years. Unmet presbyopic need was 69.2% (95% CI: 65.8%–72.6%). Age (36–45 years [adjusted odds ratio {AOR} = 3.95; 95% CI: 1.06, 4.80]), having no eye checkup in the past 1 year (AOR = 8.36; 95% CI: 5.16, 13.7), lack of awareness about place of refraction service (AOR = 4.38; 95% CI: 1.36, 13.7), and female gender (AOR = 1.78; 95% CI: 1.68, 2.9) were determinants of unmet presbyopia need.ConclusionThe burden of unmet presbyopia need is a high priority according to the World Health Organization prioritization for provision of presbyopia services. Accessible and affordable provision of spectacles with health education and promotion efforts are imperative to address the backlog of unmet presbyopia correction need in the study area.

Background. An impairment of the visual system at or shortly after birth adversely affects educational performance of children which typically occurs through vision. Limited evidence on the magnitude and causes of visual impairment is one of the reasons for the low priority given to eye care in low-income countries. Objectives. To estimate the prevalence and determine the causes of visual impairment in primary school children in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia. Materials and Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 1289 children aged 5–15 years who were randomly selected in 9 primary schools (government and private) from May to June 2016. Visual acuity was measured at 6 m using Snellen’s chart, and children with an acuity of less than 6/18 in the better eye underwent refraction and a detailed eye examination. A cause of their impairment was determined. Data were recorded using pretested tools. . Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 16 was used to enter and analyze the data using 95% confidence intervals. Results. The prevalence of visual impairment was 1.8%. Refractive errors (nearly 70%) followed by strabismus and cataract, each contributing 4.3%, were the most frequent causes of visual impairment in the study population. Majority (87%) of the children had moderate degree of vision impairment, and 10–15-year age groups are the more affected ones. Children of age fifteen and above showed statistically significant association with visual impairment (p=0.005). Conclusion. The magnitude of visual impairment in primary school children in the study area is significant. School screening programme is recommended to minimize the burden of visual impairment in the study area.

BackgroundRefractive errors are the second and third leading cause of visual impairment and blindness in Ethiopia, respectively. The situation is worse where accessing spectacles, which are the only management option in developing countries, is a major issue. Gondar University Hospital Tertiary Eye Care and Training Center is the only referral eye care center, and it lacks published evidence on the prevalence and degrees of refractive errors (myopia and hyperopia).ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and degrees of myopia and hyperopia at Gondar University Tertiary Eye Care and Training Center.Materials and methodsRecords of 1,921 patients presented to refraction service at Gondar University Hospital Tertiary Eye Care and Training Center from January 2010 to January 2014 were reviewed. All cases of refractive errors (with visual improvement of at least one line) were converted into spherical equivalents (SE = sphere + ½ cylinder). Myopia was defined as SE ≤ −0.25 D and hyperopia ≥ +0.25 D.ResultsThe study comprised of 61.1% males and 38.9% females; the patients had an average age of 40±17 years. The overall prevalence of refractive errors (myopia and hyperopia) was 76.3% (95% confidence interval: 75%–77%). Myopia was present in 34.5% patients and hyperopia in 38.3%. Low-degree hyperopia (86%) and low-degree myopia (49.5%) were the most frequent refractive errors.ConclusionMyopia and hyperopia are major reasons for patients to visit Gondar University Hospital Tertiary Eye Care and Training Center. Low-degree myopia and hyperopia were the most common refractive errors. Stocking appropriate power lenses is needed at this tertiary eye care center in order to alleviate this problem in Ethiopia.