An Epidemiological Study Of Refractive Error And Ocular Pathology In Dominica, West Indies.

Background: A sample of over 1,500 eye exam records from the 2014 VOSH Mission in
Dominica, West Indies, have been reviewed in detail to assess and statistically compare
refractive error and ocular pathology.
Methods: Of the exam forms that were evaluated, each was categorized by age, refractive
error, systemic disease, blood pressure, Intra-Ocular Pressure (lOP) and presence of
ocular pathology.
Results: The analysis revealed a remarkable prevalence of hyperopia (53%) versus
myopia or emmetropia, with a clinically significant shift in degree of the hyperopia versus
previous studies. Also noted was an increasing prevalence of myopia in the younger
population. Against-the-rule toricity predominates astigmatic correction and was also
found to be on the increase. An outstanding number of the population tends to be
hypertensive and occurrence of diabetic comorbidity is common (35.68%).
Conclusions: As previously predicted by Drs. Dib, Green, Wrubel and Dinardo, the data
pointed to a trend towards increasing prevalence of myopia and/or less amplitude of
hyperopia. Presence of ocular pathology was found comparable to that predicted by like
studies. Referrals were made to a local ophthalmologist for further management of dense cataracts, glaucoma, retinopathy, and in some cases severe pterygia. Continued patient education and care based on the results of this analysis are hoped to decrease the prevalence of preventable and untreated ocular manifestations and refractive error in
Dominica, West Indies.