Refractive Errors and Spectacle Correction Accuracy among 8th-Grade Students in Son Tra, Vietnam

Visual impairment during adolescence can affect educational outcomes and psychosocial development, particularly in settings with limited access to comprehensive eye care. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of refractive errors and the adequacy of spectacle correction among secondary school students in Da Nang, Vietnam. A school-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 8th-grade students at Le Do Secondary School in the Son Tra District. Visual acuity, refractive status, and spectacle use were evaluated using standard clinical procedures. Verbal consent was obtained from students, with teachers acting as guardians, and retrospective ethical approval was granted (IRB No. P01-202410-01-039). Of 350 eligible students, 315 were included in the analysis. Based on the better-seeing eye, 15.9% of students had myopia, and refractive errors were identified in 40.3% when either eye was considered. At the time of assessment, 24.8% wore spectacles; however, 41.6% required refractive correction, including 29.8% with uncorrected refractive error and 11.8% whose spectacles did not adequately correct their vision. These findings indicate gaps in both access to refractive services and the quality of provided corrections. Although limited to a single school, the results highlight the need for routine school-based vision screening and affordable, accurate spectacle provision. Larger, population-based studies are warranted to clarify the broader burden of refractive error among Vietnamese adolescents.