title: Refractive errors in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano Nigeria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study is to retrospectively determine the pattern of refractive errors seen in the eye clinic of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano-Nigeria from January to December, 2008.
  
  
  METHODS
  The clinic refraction register was used to retrieve the case folders of all patients refracted during the review period. Information extracted includes patient's age, sex, and types of refractive error. All patients had basic eye examination (to rule out other causes of subnormal vision) including intra ocular pressure measurement and streak retinoscopy at two third meter working distance. The final subjective refraction correction given to the patients was used to categorise the type of refractive error.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Refractive errors was observed in 1584 patients and accounted for 26.9% of clinic attendance. There were more females than males (M: F=1.0: 1.2). The common types of refractive errors are presbyopia in 644 patients (40%), various types of astigmatism in 527 patients (33%), myopia in 216 patients (14%), hypermetropia in 171 patients (11%) and aphakia in 26 patients (2%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Refractive errors are common causes of presentation in the eye clinic. Identification and correction of refractive errors should be an integral part of eye care delivery.
authors.affiliation: Bayero University Kano and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Kano Nigeria. lawal1966@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Abdu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lawan
authors.forename: Okpo
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Eme
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D042262:Retinoscopy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014787:Vision Tests; D055815:Young Adult