ISPUB.COM The Internet Journal of Epidemiology Volume 8 Number 2 1 of 7 Survey of Patient Opinions on Eyeglasses and Eye Care in Rural and Slum Populations in Chennai K Chawla, J Rovers Citation K Chawla, J Rovers. Survey of Patient Opinions on Eyeglasses and Eye Care in Rural and Slum Populations in Chennai. The Internet Journal of Epidemiology. 2009 Volume 8 Number 2. Abstract Background: Uncorrected refractive error is a common cause of avoidable visual impairment that can be corrected with eyeglasses. Patients must wear their eyeglasses to correct such refractive errors and their perceptions of eyeglasses and eye health may affect their compliance with wearing their spectacles. Objectives: This study was conducted to learn about people’s basic perspectives and knowledge of eye glasses and eye health in Chennai. Methods: Non-randomized 7 question survey of patients attending Uma Clinic Eye Camps in slums and rural areas of Chennai. Results: 78 subjects completed the survey. Most subjects were women (85.6%) , had presbyopia (75.6%), required corrective lenses (82.1%) and their average age was 45 +/- 8.7 years. Most subjects (66.7%) had heard of eyeglasses and understood why they may wear them. However, 9-47.4% did not know why glasses may be worn, did not know what was wrong with their eyes, were unsure if they needed eyeglasses or why people may lose their eyesight. 16.7% of subjects believed eyeglasses were an effective treatment for headache. Conclusions: We conclude that providing basic education on the types of refractive error and other causes of low vision, how eyeglasses may or may not help, discussion of common treatments for eye problems and clear instructions on when and when not to wear eyeglasses would be useful. INTRODUCTION An estimated 80% of the blindness worldwide is avoidable. 1 Avoidable blindness may be defined as blindness which could be either treated or prevented by known, cost-effective means. In order to reduce this, the United Nations created the VISION 2020: The Right to Sight program. One of the aims of this initiative is to obtain information about the epidemiology of eye health care globally in order to analyze the causes. 2 This will allow health care practitioners to effectively approach the problem and have the greatest impact in resolving this issue. Uncorrected refractive error is a major cause of visual impairment. 3 In 2006, 153 million people were living with uncorrected refractive error, as reported by the World Health Organization. Of these, 13 million are children and 45 million are adults. Furthermore, ninety percent of people with uncorrected refractive error live in low income countries. 1 Due to their impaired vision, people may not be able to complete their education, find it difficult to obtain employment, and may not be able to lead a full life. However, this can easily be corrected using glasses. Due to this global need and simple solution, uncorrected refractive error is a priority of the VISION 2020: The Right to Sight program. In 2000 it was reported that the number of people living with avoidable blindness in India was 18.7 million. 2 Of these, 3 million cases of blindness were due to refractive error. If this trend continues, then there could be up to 31.6 million blind people in India by 2020. However, in order to correct refractive error, patients must wear their eyeglasses appropriately. Patients’ understanding of and attitudes toward spectacles and eye health would be expected to influence compliance with wearing them. Several previous studies have evaluated the attitudes of patients in both the developed and the developing world towards their eyeglasses and eye health. A study of spectacle use in urban and rural areas in Andhra Pradesh by Dandonda et al. reported that people who did not use their spectacles did so because: they believed the prescription was not appropriate; they felt the glasses were not comfortable; or they were not able to buy a new pair due to economic reasons. 4 Another study by Dandona et al. surveyed awareness and knowledge about eye diseases and treatments in urban populations in Southern India. They found there was greater awareness of cataract and night