ROLE OF SOCIOCULTURAL BELIEFS IN SEEKING REFRACTIVE ERROR CORRECTION AMONG PATIENTS

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cultural beliefs and values play a significant role in shaping individuals' decisions to seek refractive error correction, such as glasses, contact lenses, or surgery. OBJECTIVE: To assess the Role of Cultural Beliefs in Seeking Refractive Error Correction. METHODOLOGY: It was a Cross-Sectional study. The research was conducted at The Superior University Lahore from Feb 2024 to May 2024. 80 patients were involved in this study. 22 were female and 58 were male. RESULTS: In this study, the average age was 28.65±4.52 years with an age range (of 20-45 years). In this study 22(27.50%) were female participants, and 58(72.50%) were male participants. Eleven distinct careers for culture believers. There were fifteen teachers, fourteen housewives, six tailors, three sweepers, six security guards, nine electricians, eight peons, six carpenters, three train conductors, six accountants, and four butchers. CONCLUSION: This study found a stronger correlation between cultural beliefs and refractive error correction. The majority of participants from various cultural backgrounds preferred glasses for correction. Stronger cultural beliefs were associated with myopia and presbyopia while weaker beliefs were linked to astigmatism and hyperopia. These findings highlight the importance of considering cultural beliefs in seeking refractive error correction.