DISTRIBUTION OF REFRACTIVE ERRORS AMONG THE DIFFERENT BLOOD GROUPS

ABSTRACT

Refractive errors are common eye disorders that affect millions of people worldwide. They occur when the curvature of the eye prevents light from focusing directly on the retina, resulting in blurred vision. The three types of refractive errors are myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. While refractive errors are not typically considered a serious health concern, they can significantly affect a person’s quality of life and ability to perform daily tasks. The aim of this research was to determine the distribution of refractive errors among the different blood groups. This experimental study was conducted among student of the University of Benin aged 17 to 28 years through a convenience sampling method. 158 (One hundred and fifty-eighty) students who met the inclusion criteria participated in this study. Refractive errors was assessed through retinoscopy and participants presented with their Health centre card stating their blood groups. Results showed that there was no statistical significant difference in the distribution of refractive errors among the different blood groups (p=0.251). There was no association between gender and blood groups (p=0.414) but there was an association between gender and refractive errors (p=0.033). In conclusion, there was no association in the distribution of refractive errors among the different blood groups. Further studies with larger sample sizes and in diverse population are recommended to clarify the relationship between blood groups and refractive errors conclusively.