A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF BEST CORRECTED VISUAL ACUITY AND INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE IN MYOPES AND HYPERMETROPES: A CROSSSECTIONAL STUDY

Introduction: The relationship between refractive errors, best corrected visual acuity, and intraocular pressure in myopes and hypermetropes is crucial for enhancing eye care practices and promoting routine eye exams. It aims to improve eye care practices and promote routine exams, lling a gap in literature and advancing ophthalmology and optometry by contrasting best corrected visual acuity and intraocular pressure. Materials and methods: 200 participants aged 40-70 years were recruited from the ophthalmology department at Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical Sciences, Kulasekharam. They underwent a comprehensive ocular examination, including a detailed medical history assessment, visual acuity measurement, and IOP measurement. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, with a p-value < 0.05 considered statistically signicant. Results: The study found that most hypermetropes (69.23%) were aged over 60 years, while myopes (41.89%) were aged 40-50 years. Hyperopic refractive errors were higher in the >51-60 age group, while myopes were more common in the 40-50 age group. Intraocular pressure (IOP) readings showed a signicant difference between myopes and hypermetropes, with a mean difference of -1.610 mmHg. Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) distribution was also found to be a signicant indicator of visual clarity. The study's ndings highlight the importance of understanding the differences between myopes and hypermetropes in assessing visual clarity. Conclusion: The study compares BCVA and IOP between myopes and hypermetropes, highlighting the need for tailored management approaches for individuals with varying refractive errors. This knowledge can improve care and quality of life for myopic and hypermetropic patients.