ABSTRACT

This study was carried to determine the relationship between oculo visual problems and reading and learning ability among primary school children in Ovia North East Local Government Area , Benin-City. This was a cross sectional study of (n=300) primary school children (151 males and 149 females) with a mean age of f 9.68 ± 1.756, that took place between the month of June to August, 2023. Participants for this study were recruited from three primary schools in Benin-City. Data on visual acuity, refractive status, colour vision, ocular motility and alignment was gathered during a visual screening conducted across the three schools. A test of visual sequential memory was used to ascertain the visual perceptive skills of the participants. The data collected was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science version 22.0 and Descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, mean, standard deviation) was used to summarize the variables. This study revealed an association between refractive errors and scores in the visual sequential memory test (P= 0.027). It was concluded that out of the 155 participants that failed the test, 81 had undetected and uncorrected oculo visual problems that could negatively affect their reading and learning abilities. The conclusion from this study emphasizes that children with suspected oculo visual problems should always be referred right away for a thorough visual examination and appropriate care. Additionally and for the purpose of preventing  children's poor reading and learning abilities in school, screening programs should therefore be implemented, and the children identified with oculo visual problems should be referred for appropriate management.

Keywords: Oculo Visual Problems, Visual Sequential Memory, Reading and Learning.