Relationship between Body Mass Index, Blood Pressure, and Visual Acuity in Residents of Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria

Aim. To study the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) on visual acuity among apparently healthy residents of Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Methodology. This is a cross-sectional descriptive study among 225 subjects (ages of 18–35 years) from whom BP, body weight, and height were collected. Visual acuity was measured using the Snellen chart following standard procedures of number of letters seen at 6-metre distance. The data were then analyzed using SPSS version 17. Results. The sampled population consists of 112 male and 113 female (mean age 31.72 ± 14.2 years). Majority (180) of the respondents had normal visual acuity. However, compared with the respondents with normal BMI ( R 19.61 ± 1.5 ; L 19.67 ± 1.70 ), visual acuity of underweight ( R 18.53 ± 2.30 ; L 18.53 ± 2.70 ) and obese ( R 15.68 ± 4.79 ; L 17.73 ± 1.70 ) were more deviated. Similarly, compared with respondent with normal BP (120–125/80–85 mmHg; R 18.00 ± 2.53 ; L 18.07 ± 3.11 ), hypotensive ( R 15.5 ± 7.35 ; L 15.00 ± 10.20 ), and hypertensive ( R 15.01 ± 21.25 ; L 15.00 ± 11.91 ) respondents had deviated visual acuity. Conclusion. Abnormal body weight (underweight and obese) and BP (hypotension and hypertension) have potential negative impacts on visual acuity. Based on the observed relationship between weights, BP, and visual acuity, eye examinations can be included as regular screening exercise for abnormal BMI and BP conditions.