Distribution of Oculo-Visual Anomalies According to Body Mass Index in Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria

A prospective study aimed at determining the distribution of oculo-visual anomalies according to body mass index in Umuahia north local government area of Abia State, Nigeria was carried out through community eye health outreaches. A total of 112 subjects, made up of 34 (30.4%) males and78 (69.6%) females were examined. with a mean age of 43±47.63years. The subjects were examined using some optometric procedures like ophthalmoscopy, retinoscopy, penlight examination, visual acuity measurement etc. The height and weight of the subjects were equally measured and their BMI deduced. The results of the study showed that 47 (42%) of the subjects were underweight, 43 (38.4%) have normal weight, 20 (17.8%) are overweight while 2 (1.8%) were obese. It was noted that 96 subjects (85.7%) had at least one oculo-visual anomaly, while 16 subjects (14.3%) were seen to have no oculo- visual anomaly across various classes of BMI. Refractive errors and presbyopia were noted to occur most in the study population occurring in 39 of the 112 subjects (34.8%) respectively. While overweight was significantly found to be risk factor in age related cataract it was not a risk factor for refractive errors. Underweight was found not to be a risk factor in age related cataract and refractive errors. BMI measurement should be one of the clinical procedures, not just in a general health outlet but in eye clinics. Individuals with abnormal BMI should undergo detailed clinical procedures to look out for possible oculovisual anomalies.