Ophthalmic Anthropometry among Rural Dwellers in Mashonaland Central Province, Zimbabwe

Introduction The measures of ophthalmic anthropometric parameters may vary among races and ethnic groups but are of immense importance in clinical diagnosis and management of oculo-visual defects. There is paucity of data on these measures among the Zimbabwean population.

Purpose The aim was to determine ophthalmic anthropometric parameters among rural dwellers in Zimbabwe. 

Methods Six ophthalmic anthropometric parameters including interpupillary distance (IPD), head width (HW), temple width (TW), length to bend (LTB), and apical radius were measured using a pupillometer, PD rule, Head width calipers, Fairbank facial gauge, and ABDO frame rule. 

Results A total of 471 participants aged 18 to 100 years (mean age = 55.13; SD± 17.33 years). Of the 471 participants, 206 (43.7%) were males and 265 (56.3%) were females. A mean interpupillary distance at far was 65.57 ± 4.80 mm, mean temple width of 12.49 ± 1.53 cm, mean head width of 13.61 ± 1.39 cm and a side length to bend of 10.24 ± 1.20 cm and the apical radius was 9.94 ± 1.37. There was a significant (P < 0.05) difference between the ophthalmic anthropometric parameters of males and females except for temple width and apical radius. 

Conclusion A narrower interpupillary distance but a wider temple width was observed among adult Zimbabweans. A significant difference in ophthalmic anthropometric parameters between males and females were observed except for temple width and apical radius. This should inform eyewear manufacturers and importers of frames on the facial and ocular parameters of Zimbabweans to improve the aesthetics and ensure a comfortable vision for wearers of already-made near vision spectacles for presbyopes.