MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT VISION CORRECTIONS: A STUDY OF PUBLIC BELIEFS AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES FOR OPTOMETRIC PRACTICE.

Misconceptions about vision correction methods pose significant barriers to effective eye care, contributing to delayed treatment and preventable vision impairment globally (World Health Organization [WHO], 2020). This study examined prevalent public beliefs, their sources, and consequences for optometric practice in Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining an online survey (n = 58) with interviews of optometrists. Results indicated high awareness of glasses (94.83%) but limited knowledge of advanced methods like LASIK (3.45%) and vision therapy (1.72%). Key misconceptions included fears that glasses/contact lenses cause harm (25.86%) and beliefs in the need for progressively stronger prescriptions (29.31%), reflecting gaps in health literacy (Nutbeam, 2000). Notably, 24.14% delayed seeking eye care due to misconceptions, while 56.90% reported reduced likelihood of consulting optometrists if holding such beliefs, aligning with the Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1991). Despite high trust in optometrists (77.59%), 98.28% of participants advocated for expanded public education. The findings, analyzed through the Health Belief Model (Rosenstock, 1974), emphasize the urgent need for culturally sensitive education campaigns and enhanced patient-provider communication to address misinformation. This study supports WHO (2020) recommendations for integrating vision health literacy into public health strategies, particularly in underserved regions.