A Descriptive Study of Refractive Error Among Adults in Selected Practices in Witbank, South Africa.

Cross-sectionalClinical optometry· 2026

A Descriptive Study of Refractive Error Among Adults in Selected Practices in Witbank, South Africa.

Bevily Nukeri, Velibanti Sukati, Pheagane Motsime William Nkoana

Read paper

Cataract & RefractiveCross-sectionalQ2IF 2.4

Astigmatism is the most common refractive error found in this South African clinic population.

A Descriptive Study of Refractive Error Among Adults in Selected Practices in Witbank, South Africa.

Bevily Nukeri … Pheagane Motsime William Nkoana

Clinical optometry · 2026 · Q2 in Ophthalmology

Purpose

Refractive errors are among the leading causes of visual impairment globally and remain a significant contributor to avoidable vision loss in South Africa.

Methods

A retrospective cross-sectional study of 1245 clinical records selected through systematic random sampling at three selected private optometry practices in Witbank.

n = 1245 clinical records

Results

43% of patients with refractive error had astigmatism, more than any other type.

43%

Astigmatism

13%

Myopia

10%

Hyperopia

More results

Overall, 66% presented with refractive error,51% were female and 49% were male.

Hyperopic participants had a mean age of 57.82 years, while myopic individuals had a mean age of 39.29 years.

More results

No significant associations were found between refractive errors: myopia (p<0.376; Cramer's V=0.437), hyperopia (p<0.284; Cramer's V =0.4), and astigmatism (p<0.888, Cramer's V=0.159), and gender.

“

Conclusion · 1 of 2

The study's findings reveal a significant prevalence of refractive errors in the population examined, with astigmatism constituting nearly half of all identified cases.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

This data provides a valuable baseline for eye care planning in similar clinical settings.

A Descriptive Study of Refractive Error Among Adults in Selected Practices in Witbank, South Africa.

A Descriptive Study of Refractive Error Among Adults in Selected Practices in Witbank, South Africa.

Related papers