Drivers of Spectacle Compliance among University Student Population in Buraimi, Oman

Refractive errors are the leading cause of visual impairment among young adults globally, and spectacle correction remains the most effective and accessible intervention. However, compliance with spectacle wear is consistently suboptimal, especially among university student populations. The study aims to evaluate the driving factors of spectacle wear and to form a baseline for informed decision-making while supporting the current health intervention within the region that focuses on enhancing visual health and academic progress among the population. This cross-sectional study employed a questionnaire-based tool to collect the responses among the university students that are compliant with spectacle wear. Participants with or without refractive errors having no ocular abnormalities or associated pathologies were included in the study. Participant profile was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The association between the type of attitude among the spectacle compliant group and the participant profile was assessed using chi square test. The association between the mean attitude score and the participants profile was evaluated using Generalized Linear Model. Out of the total 275 participants undergoing ocular examination, 154 (56%) were observed to have refractive errors and only 25 (16.23% of these 154) were spectacle compliant. The higher overall mean benefit score (M= 61.27, SD = 18.02) related to spectacles including utility and psychological aspects of spectacle wear indicates agreement for spectacle wear among the student group. The attitude towards spectacle wear among the spectacle compliant university student group is moderate. The perceived visual comfort with spectacles, as well as the positive and intelligent impression created by spectacle wear, is the key drivers of spectacle wear.