Subjective Verification of Refraction- A Quality Section Indicator: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Subjective refraction helps in establishing the suitable lens for a patient. But it also needs a patient’s cooperation for the proper estimation of the refractive error.

Aim: To determine the impact of counselling of Optometrists on subjective refraction and spectacle prescription to patients attending Ophthalmology Out Patient Department (OPD) at their first visit.

Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted for a period of two months from June 2020 to July 2020. All patients attending the OPD at Department of Ophthalmology at R L Jalappa Hospital and Research Centre, Tamaka, Karnataka, India, were included in the study. A total of 120 patients, whose vision was <6/9, were included in each group. Group A, before counselling the Optometrists and Group B, after counselling the Optometrists by systemic random sampling method. The number of patients who required spectacle correction and those who were given spectacle prescriptions at their first visit were identified. The data was analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0.

Results: In Group A, out of 120 patients only 62 patients (51.7%), had undergone subjective refraction along with spectacle prescription at their first visit. In Group B, (88.3%) 106 patients out of 120, underwent subjective refraction and spectacle correction was given on their first visit.

Conclusion: This study shows a clear positive impact of counselling to Optometrists and the importance of counselling in achieving patient’s satisfaction.