Aim: The ophthalmic service lacks to supply spectacles following standard refraction, because of the absence of the optical dispensing unit. The aim was to determine willingness to pay for a pair of spectacles among presbyopic people if the service begins.
Methods: An interview-based questionnaire was employed among presbyopic people, who were refracted during a community-based outreach service conducted at Debre-Tabor town, South Gondar.
Results: A total of 322 study subjects have completed the questionnaire. The median value of gross monthly income was US $75.0 (Range from US $7.1-321.4). The mean amount of willing to pay for a pair of spectacles was US $17.9 (Range from US $1.1-107.1). Participants who were willing to pay at least US $12.5 (minimum cost at the public optical dispensing unit) for a pair of spectacles accounted 63.0% (95% CI: 57.8-68.3). Based on multivariable logistics regression output analysis age (P = .049), occupation (P = .001), monthly income (p = .001), and positive history of previous spectacles wear (P = .005) show statistically significant association with willingness to pay for a pair of spectacles.
Conclusion: In the study area, the mean amount willing to pay for a pair of spectacles was higher than the average set of the price at the public optical dispensing units in Gondar. Public willingness to pay for a pair of spectacles could be considered as an assurance to set up an affordable and financially sustainable spectacle supply service. Conducted on a community-based outreach service may likely pool keen population segments to overestimate the result. Abbreviations: ANOVA: Analysis of Variance; CI: Confidence Interval; SPSS: Statistical Package for Social Science; USA: United States of America; US$: United States dollar.
Keywords: Willingness; affordability; coverage; presbyopia; spectacle.