Eye Care Seeking Behavior on Prevention of Blindness among Elderly in Urban Area of Magway Township, Myanmar

This cross-sectional study was intended to identify the eye care seeking behavior among the elderly in urban area of Magway Township, Myanmar. This study used stratified random sampling method. The population consisted of 196 elderly from 4 areas in Magway Township who were interviewed through the use of a structured questionnaire during the period from 1 April to 30 April 2015. Chi-square and Fisher-exact test analysis were carried out to determine the association between the independent variables and eye care seeking behavior. The result revealed that current rate of seeking eye care was 87.4% among elderly who had eye problems within last one year (87 out of 196) in this area. Refractive error was the leading eye problems (17.3%), followed by cataract (13.8%), by eye trauma (7.1%), glaucoma (5.6%), red eye (2.6%), eye irritation (1%) and night blindness, retinal degeneration and corneal ulcer are 0.5% respectively. This study indicates that empowerment and strengthening of health care personnel, implementation of primary eye care training for community health volunteers, enhancing eye health education program at each level including primary care unit level and updating knowledge and skills of health staff on primary eye care by providing refresher training program.