Awareness of Eye Health and Diseases among the Population of the Hilly Region of Nepal.

Purpose: To collect information regarding awareness and knowledge of eye health and diseases among the population of the hilly region of Nepal.

Methods: In a population-based survey, 1834 participants were enrolled in to the study. Field procedures included the development of a survey questionnaire, field orientation, pretesting, and household data collection. Association between knowledge of eye diseases was derived using the Chi-square test and odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval. A value of ≤0.05 was considered significant.

Results: Most participants were 31-40 years old (33.4%), female (51.1%), of upper caste (43.4%), Hindus (83.3%), received secondary level of education (34.4%), and involved in agriculture (48.6%). Awareness of cataract, night blindness, glaucoma, strabismus, and systemic diseases was 74.6%, 53.4%, 17.4%, 70.8%, and 46.5%, respectively. Knowledge regarding these diseases among those aware was 39.1%, 72.2%, 50.9%, and 92.3%, respectively. Awareness of cataract was significantly higher (88.4%) among higher caste groups ( < 0.001; OR, 4.29; 95% CI, 3.34-5.54), followed by business as an occupation (88.2%; = 0.001; OR, 2.65; 95% CI, 1.44-4.9). Awareness of night blindness was significantly higher among students (72.6%; < 0.001; OR, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.65-3.67).

Conclusion: There was a general lack of awareness and knowledge of common eye diseases. Improved awareness and knowledge are required for the prevention, early treatment, and access to eye care.