Examining Spectacle Coverage and Refractive Errors Among a University Student Population in Oman

Background Effective spectacle coverage (ESC) is a measure used to assess the level of corrected refractive errors within a community, providing insights into eye health and the efficacy of eye care systems. Global spectacle coverage exhibits significant variances, with limited data on young individuals. The study aimed to evaluate the spectacle coverage and refractive errors among a university student population in Oman. Methods The study was conducted among University of Buraimi students in Oman. A cross‐sectional study among 275 undergraduate students was conducted. The participants underwent detailed eye examinations, including visual acuity assessment and the estimation of best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Refractive status was classified based on standardized protocols. The association of spectacle coverage with participants’ demographic and refractive status was analyzed using chi‐square test. Results The mean age of participants was 20.76 ± 1.92 years, with 196 (71.27%) females. The majority, 147 (53.5%) of the participants had myopic refractive errors, followed by 7 (2.5%) participants having hypermetropia. Only 25 (16.23%) of the studied population were observed to have ESC. Conclusion The ESC in the university population was lower than the globally reported data but higher than that reported from the low‐income countries. It highlights the need for improved spectacle coverage among young individuals.