awareness of eye health and diseases among thepopulation of the hilly region of nepal

Purpose: to collect information regarding awareness and knowledge of eye health and diseases among the population of the hilly region of nepal. methods: in a population‑based survey, 1834 participants were enrolled in to the study. field procedures included the development of a survey questionnaire, field orientation, pretesting, and household data collection. association between knowledge of eye diseases was derived using the chi‑square test and odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval. a p value of ≤0.05 was considered significant. results: most participants were 31–40 years old (33.4%), female (51.1%), of upper caste (43.4%), hindus (83.3%), received secondary level of education (34.4%), and involved in agriculture (48.6%). awareness of cataract, night blindness, glaucoma, strabismus, and systemic diseases was 74.6%, 53.4%, 17.4%, 70.8%, and 46.5%, respectively. knowledge regarding these diseases among those aware was 39.1%, 72.2%, 50.9%, and 92.3%, respectively. awareness of cataract was significantly higher (88.4%) among higher caste groups (p < 0.001; or, 4.29; 95% ci, 3.34–5.54), followed by business as an occupation (88.2%; p = 0.001; or, 2.65; 95% ci, 1.44–4.9). awareness of night blindness was significantly higher among students (72.6%; p < 0.001; or, 2.46; 95% ci, 1.65–3.67). conclusion: there was a general lack of awareness and knowledge of common eye diseases. improved awareness and knowledge are required for the prevention, early treatment, and access to eye care.