European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Objective:  The main aim of this study was to determine the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practises about eye health among the Indian community. Methodology: The objective of this cross-sectional survey study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practises (KAP) of persons residing in rural areas of Bihar with visual impairment (VI) regarding their utilisation of medical eye-care services. The collection of KAP data occurred between the months of May and June 2023, facilitated by a group of proficient researchers. The survey consisted of a total of 16 Yes/No questions pertaining to the participant's knowledge of low vision and their behaviours regarding seeking eye care. Additionally, there was one question that required a single-choice response regarding the participant's attitudes towards eye care. Furthermore, four single-choice questions were included to assess the participant's tendencies in seeking eye care services. Results: There was no statistically significant disparity observed in the proportion of participants who had sought professional eye care prior to the survey, based on various demographic factors including gender, age, education, income level, family history of eye disease, visual acuity of the better-seeing eye, and personal history of diabetes or hypertension. There were notable disparities observed among individuals who self-identified their vision as poor, got an old-age pension, or had a personal history of eye disease. Specifically, approximately 36.4%, 66.7%, and 55.6% of these respective groups reported seeking medical care. The level of accurate understanding of visual acuity and eye disease exhibited significant variation throughout the sample. The highest proportion, 77.4% of participants, correctly recognised that individuals with myopia have the ability to see objects nearby but struggle with distant vision. Conversely, only a small percentage, 17.1%, were aware that the loss of far vision is not an inherent consequence of the ageing process. Conclusion: In summary, the visually impaired individuals in Bihar shown a lack of awareness regarding the importance of consistently accessing eye care services. Developing ways to enhance public awareness of the correlation between deteriorating vision and preventable blindness resulting from diagnosable and treatable illnesses within eye clinics situated in local hospitals is of utmost significance.