In Ghana, optometrists are the primary eyecare professional as a first contact for many patients with amblyopia. This study evaluated practice patterns in the management of amblyopia by optometrists in Ghana. The authors conducted a cross-sectional online survey aimed at 240 licensed / registered optometrists across 16 Ghana regions, from January to October 2020. Responses were received from 168 – response rate of 70%. Mean age was 32.6 ±6.1 years with 69.3% male. There were 46.4% working full-time in private practice, 72.1% with an urban practice location and 64.9% treating amblyopia in their practice. The most common form of amblyopia seen was refractive (68.2%) and the most common treatment was optical. For those not treating amblyopia, the main reason cited was inadequate skills. Female optometrists were less likely to treat and it is important to address this factor for future practice given the rising number of female optometrists qualifying in Ghana.
Treatment of amblyopia by Ghanaian optometrists
Reviewed by Fiona Rowe
Practice patterns in the management of amblyopia among optometrists in Ghana.
CONTRIBUTOR
Fiona Rowe (Prof)
Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, UK.
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