Prevalence of Refractive Errors Among Secondary School Students in Ibadan, Oyo State

Refractive errors remain among the most common and correctable causes of visual impairment in school-age populations globally. In Nigeria, their burden continues to be underestimated partly due to limited school-based vision screening programmes. This study investigates the prevalence and pattern of refractive errors among secondary school students in Ibadan, Oyo State, South West Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional design will be employed, targeting 600 students selected through stratified random sampling across six public and private secondary schools. Data collection will involve visual acuity assessment using the Snellen chart, followed by objective and subjective refraction performed by a trained optometrist. Sociodemographic data including age, sex, parental education, and screen time will be collected via structured questionnaire. Frequency distributions and chi-square tests will be applied to examine associations between refractive error types and identified risk factors. Preliminary review of existing literature suggests myopia is increasingly prevalent among urban school children, linked to prolonged near-work activities. Findings will provide local baseline data for the Oyo State Ministry of Health and inform advocacy for integrating vision screening into the National School Health Programme. The study also highlights the persistent gap between the need for corrective lenses and actual spectacle use, shaped by affordability, stigma, and parental awareness. Recommendations will target school administrators, primary healthcare workers, and policymakers seeking cost-effective interventions to reduce avoidable visual impairment among Nigerian adolescents. Keywords: refractive errors, secondary school, visual acuity, myopia, Nigeria