Assessment of Optometric Services for Elderly Patients in Sokoto and Zamfara State Geriatric Programs

Older adults in Nigeria face a disproportionate burden of age-related ocular conditions including cataracts, glaucoma, and presbyopia, yet geriatric optometric services remain poorly integrated into formal elderly care programs. This study assesses the optometric service components available to elderly patients within geriatric programs in Sokoto and Zamfara States, North West Nigeria. A mixed-methods design will be employed, involving a structured audit of clinical records from two geriatric outpatient programs and focus group discussions with 30 elderly patients and 12 healthcare providers. Audit indicators will include the proportion of elderly patients receiving annual visual acuity screening, intraocular pressure measurement, dilated fundus examination, and optical aid provision. Qualitative data will document patient experiences, unmet needs, and provider perspectives on optometric integration. Data analysis will involve descriptive statistics for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data. The study anticipates finding significant gaps in the integration of optometric care into geriatric programs, with most elderly patients receiving no formal eye assessment during routine care visits. Recommendations will target the Sokoto State Ministry of Health and relevant non-governmental organizations working with older adults. This research contributes important evidence to the discourse on geriatric optometry in underserved northern Nigeria and provides a framework for expanding age-appropriate eye care in the North West zone. Keywords: geriatric optometry, elderly patients, Sokoto, Zamfara, optometric services