Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Optometrists about Myopia Management

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice of Pakistani optometrists about myopia management.

Study Design: Across-sectional study.

Duration and Settings of the Study: From October 2023 to December 2023. Survey from optometrists serving both urban and rural areas of Pakistan.

Methods: After the approval of the ethical review board, a web questionnaire was distributed to optometrists working in rural and urban areas of Pakistan. A total sample size of 94 optometrists was calculated using a 95% confidence interval and the non-probability purposive sampling technique. The data was entered in Excel and then analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 25.00). Chi-square and NPAR (non-parametric) tests were used to know the significance (p<0.05) of the study.

Results: The responses were collected from 94 optometrists working in rural and urban areas of Pakistan. Most of the optometrists were aware (92.6%) at myopia progression. Of the optometrists, 29.8% had one to five years of experience, while 27.7% had less than one year of experience. The perceived effectiveness of myopia management between urban and rural practitioners is insignificant (p-value =0.555). Most participants were practicing in the private sector (54.3%). Single-vision spectacles were mostly used both in urban and rural areas with an insignificant p value (p-value>0.05). The majority of them were using under correction as a myopia controlling strategy (p-value = 0.009).

Conclusion: The optometrists in both rural and urban areas of Pakistan are somewhat aware of management therapies for myopia but their practice patterns need further interventions.