Prevalence and Unmet Needs of Refractive Error and Presbyopia in Bangladesh

Background: Refractive error and presbyopia are among the most common visual impairments globally, with Bangladesh facing high prevalence rates due to limited access to eye care and widespread poverty. While corrective glasses are an effective solution, awareness and access remain significant barriers, particularly in rural areas. Objective: This study aims to assess the prevalence of refractive error, visual impairment, and presbyopia in Bangladesh, and to identify the challenges in meeting the visual needs of the population. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from January 2021 to January 2024, in Southern Medical College & Hospital, Chattagram. A random sample of 1,000 individuals aged 15-49 years was selected. Data collection included structured interviews and clinical eye examinations to assess visual acuity, refractive errors, and presbyopia, with subsequent statistical analysis of prevalence rates and unmet needs. Results: The study found that refractive error and presbyopia increased with age, with 16.5% of participants experiencing refractive error and 62% affected by presbyopia. Spectacle coverage was low (13.3% for refractive error and 3.2% for presbyopia), with significant gender differences in unmet need, particularly among females (90.6%). A lack of awareness was the primary reason for not using optical services, affecting 92.8% of those with refractive error and 95.9% of those with presbyopia. Conclusion: The study highlights the substantial burden of uncorrected refractive error and presbyopia in Bangladesh, with low spectacle coverage and high unmet need. The main barrier to vision correction is a lack of awareness rather than financial constraints. Interventions are needed to increase awareness, improve access to affordable spectacles, and address gender disparities in eye care.