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Colour vision defect among secondary school students in enugu, Nigeria: prevalence, pattern and impact


Advances in Ophthalmology & Visual System
Gloria C Eze,1 Nkiru Kizor-Akaraiwe,1 Amalachukwu A Chime,2 Cosmas C Anajekwu,1 Ifeoma N Asimadu,1 Chima E Edoga,1 Ifeoma R. Ezegwui2

Abstract

Aim: To determine the prevalence, pattern and impact of colour vision defects among public secondary school students in Enugu, Nigeria with a view to guiding the affected students on appropriate career choice.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among students attending public secondary schools in Enugu-East Local Government Area, Enugu state. A total of 950 students (361 males, 589 females) were selected by multistage sampling. The students were assessed for colour vision using Ishihara 38 plate edition and Farnsworth D-15 colour caps. 
An interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used to obtain the socio-demographic data and impact of colour vision on colour-related school tasks and activities of daily living. Data was analysed using statistical package foe social sciences, version 20. 
Result: The age of the students ranged from 10-20 years with mean age of 14.2 ± 1.9 years. Eleven (1.2%) students were found to have colour vision defect out of whom 9 were boys and 2 were girls, 6 (54.5%) were deutan and 5 (45.5%) were protan. No tritan defect was detected. Greater percentages of the students with colour vision defect had difficulties with colour-related school tasks and daily activities when compared to those with normal colour vision.
Conclusion: Colour vision defect may affect students’ performance in colour-related school tasks and activities of daily living. Therefore, early detection of colour vision defect is important so as to guide in the choice of future career.

Keywords

colour vision defect, Secondary school students, prevalence, pattern, impact

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