A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF THE PREVALENCE OF NON-STRABISMIC BINOCULAR VISION ANOMALIES AMONGST STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LIMPOPO OPTOMETRY CLINIC, SOUTH AFRICA
1
Optometry, University of Limpopo, Mankweng, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1500
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Non-strabismic binocular vision anomalies (NSBVAs) are visual disorders that affect a person's binocular vision and visual outcome while performing near tasks. In a global study, the prevalence of NSBVAs among college students was reported to range from 27.8% to 62.2%. NSBVAs are very common among university students. The prevalence of NSBVAs at the University of Limpopo is not documented anywhere.
METHODS:
A retrospective cross-sectional review of 285 non-strabismic records of university students aged 17–34 years who attended the University of Limpopo Optometry Clinic (2023–2024) was conducted. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 28. Descriptive statistics determined the prevalence of non-strabismic binocular vision anomalies (NSBVAs), while inferential statistics assessed associations among variables.
RESULTS:
Participants were predominantly female (63.6%). Emmetropia was the most common refractive status (28.7%), followed by hyperopia (19.0%) and myopic astigmatism (18.6%). Near heterophoria was predominantly exophoric (64.0%), whereas distance heterophoria was mainly orthophoric (50.2%). Convergence insufficiency was the most prevalent NSBVA (29.1%), with 48.2% exhibiting normal phorias. Accommodative insufficiency (25.0%) and accommodative excess (16.7%) were the most frequent accommodative anomalies. Near point of convergence was normal in 44.1% and receded in 43.7%. Significant associations were observed between refractive error and Positive Relative Accommodation (p < 0.001) and the Monocular Estimate Method (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS:
This study investigated the prevalence and characteristics of NSBVAs and accommodative dysfunctions among university students aged 17–34 years. Convergence insufficiency and accommodative insufficiency were the most prevalent abnormalities, with emmetropia being the dominant refractive state. Although no significant associations were found between refractive error and binocular or accommodative anomalies, the high prevalence of these dysfunctions is a public health concern. Given students’ extensive near-visual demands, such abnormalities may impair visual comfort and academic performance, underscoring the need for regular optometric screening and early intervention in academic settings.
Non-strabismic binocular vision anomalies (NSBVAs) are visual disorders that affect a person's binocular vision and visual outcome while performing near tasks. In a global study, the prevalence of NSBVAs among college students was reported to range from 27.8% to 62.2%. NSBVAs are very common among university students. The prevalence of NSBVAs at the University of Limpopo is not documented anywhere.
METHODS:
A retrospective cross-sectional review of 285 non-strabismic records of university students aged 17–34 years who attended the University of Limpopo Optometry Clinic (2023–2024) was conducted. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 28. Descriptive statistics determined the prevalence of non-strabismic binocular vision anomalies (NSBVAs), while inferential statistics assessed associations among variables.
RESULTS:
Participants were predominantly female (63.6%). Emmetropia was the most common refractive status (28.7%), followed by hyperopia (19.0%) and myopic astigmatism (18.6%). Near heterophoria was predominantly exophoric (64.0%), whereas distance heterophoria was mainly orthophoric (50.2%). Convergence insufficiency was the most prevalent NSBVA (29.1%), with 48.2% exhibiting normal phorias. Accommodative insufficiency (25.0%) and accommodative excess (16.7%) were the most frequent accommodative anomalies. Near point of convergence was normal in 44.1% and receded in 43.7%. Significant associations were observed between refractive error and Positive Relative Accommodation (p < 0.001) and the Monocular Estimate Method (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS:
This study investigated the prevalence and characteristics of NSBVAs and accommodative dysfunctions among university students aged 17–34 years. Convergence insufficiency and accommodative insufficiency were the most prevalent abnormalities, with emmetropia being the dominant refractive state. Although no significant associations were found between refractive error and binocular or accommodative anomalies, the high prevalence of these dysfunctions is a public health concern. Given students’ extensive near-visual demands, such abnormalities may impair visual comfort and academic performance, underscoring the need for regular optometric screening and early intervention in academic settings.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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