Methods: This was a cross-sectional population-based study using multi-stage cluster sampling from rural-dwellers of villages in the north and southwest of Iran. All participants underwent vision testing including measurement of visual acuity and refraction followed by slit lamp examination by an ophthalmologist through which the presence of corneal opacity was determined.
Results: The participants were 3314 people (response rate = 86.5%), and 56.3% were female. The prevalence of corneal opacity in at least one eye in the studied subjects was 1.68% (95% CI: 1.08–2.27%); 1.07% (95% CI: 0.04–3.43%) and 2.47% (95% CI: 1.49–3.43%) in women and men, respectively, and 1.45% (95% CI: 0.4–2.45%) and 1.97% (95% CI: 1.3–2.94%) in the southwest and north of the country, respectively. The prevalence of corneal opacity was related to male gender (OR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.13–3.74) and age (OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.04- 1.09) but not with education level. The prevalence of visual impairment and blindness among cases with corneal opacity was 46.2% and 19.2%, respectively.
Conclusion: Given the high prevalence of corneal opacity in rural areas in Iran, it is essential to prioritize rural areas for allocation of resources and facilities for the diagnosis, screening, and necessary treatment measures. 相似文献
Methods: Through a cross-sectional study using randomized cluster sampling, 60 clusters were selected in Sari, a city in the North of Iran. In each cluster, 20 people over 54 years of age were chosen systematically and were invited to participate in the study. After enrollment, all participants had optometric and ophthalmologic exams including slit lamp biomicroscopy and fundoscopy.
Results: Of the 1185 selected persons, 937 (79.1%) participated in this study (age range 55–87 years). The prevalence of cataracts, AMD, glaucoma, and DR in at least one eye was 29.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 26.6–32.5), 5.8% (95% CI: 4.3–7.3), 3.7% (95% CI: 2.5–5.0), and 2.7% (95% CI: 1.6–3.7), respectively. All prevalences significantly increased with aging. AMD was more prevalent in men (7.4%) than women (4.4%) (p = 0.054). Overall, 35.8% (95% CI: 32.7–38.8) of participants had at least one of the four conditions; this rate was 27.4% for the 55–59-year old age group and 52.4% for those over 75 years of age.
Conclusion: Overall, 35.8% of the studied population had at least one of the four diseases. Cataracts, followed by AMD, are the most common age-related eye diseases in the Iranian population, and thus, precise planning along with enhanced diagnostic and therapeutic facilities are necessary. 相似文献
Methods: A population-based, cross-sectional survey of children was conducted in three phases in Pavagada and Madhugiri taluks (subdivisions) of Tumkur district in the state of Karnataka, India. In the first phase, trained fieldworkers screened 23,100 children. In the second phase, children with eye diseases were referred to the peripheral hospital to be examined by a general ophthalmologist. In the third phase, children with major eye diseases were examined by a pediatric ophthalmologist.
Results: The prevalence of ocular morbidity was 2.66% (95% confidence interval, CI, 2.46–2.87%). The most commonly observed ocular morbidity was Bitot spots (1%) followed by refractive error (0.6%). In total, 18 children were blind and the prevalence of childhood blindness (best-corrected visual acuity <3/60) was 0.08% (95% CI 0.04–0.11%); 8 (44.44%) had retinal blindness, 5 (27.76%) had lens-related blindness, 2 (11.11%) had bilateral microphthalmos, 1 (5.56%) was blind due to anterior staphyloma in the right eye and anophthalmos in the left eye, 1 (5.56%) had bilateral uveal coloboma and 1 (5.56%) had cortical visual impairment.
Conclusions: Nearly half of the blindness in the population was due to unavoidable causes (retinal). In addition to providing eye care services, an appropriate service delivery model would include the provision of rehabilitative and low vision services and implementation of genetic studies to understand the causes and increase awareness of inherited eye diseases. 相似文献
Methods: A cross-sectional interviewer-administered survey together with eye screenings was conducted among schoolchildren in the capital Yerevan and in Gegharkunik Province. The study used multi-stage random sampling to obtain the sample of 1260 schoolchildren. Study questionnaires were developed based on the Sydney Myopia Study questionnaire. Continuous reading was defined as the average number of hours spent reading or on near work without a break. Children underwent measurements of visual acuity using a Golovin-Sivtsev eye chart, cycloplegic retinoscopy, and dilated fundus examination.
Results: The mean age of the children was 13 years, and myopia was present in 18.1%. The prevalence of myopia was higher among Yerevan children (23.3%) than those living in Gegharkunik Province (12.5%). In the adjusted model, myopia was significantly associated with age (odds ratio, OR, 1.11, 95% confidence interval, CI, 1.04–1.18), region (OR 2.40, 95% CI 1.62–3.57), school achievement (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.05–2.51), parental myopia (OR 2.89, 95% CI 1.79–4.69), and continuous reading (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.31–3.02), but not near work (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.89–1.05).
Conclusion: The study found that a positive family history of myopia and environmental factors had independent associations with myopia. The number of near work hours did not play a major role in the development of myopia, but length of time of focused continuous reading did. 相似文献
Methods: In a population-based cross-sectional survey of 5530 individuals aged 50 years or older from 10 villages selected by cluster sampling, individuals who had undergone cataract surgery in one or both eyes were identified. Consenting participants were administered a questionnaire, underwent vision assessment and ophthalmic examination. Outcomes were classified as good if visual acuity of the operated eye was 6/18 or better, fair if worse than 6/18 but better than or equal to 6/60, and poor if worse than 6/60.
Results: Prevalence of cataract surgery in this age group (771 persons) was 13.9% (95% confidence interval, CI, 13.0–14.9%). In the 1112 eyes of 749 persons studied, at presentation, 53.1% (95% CI 50.1–56.1%) of operated eyes had good, 38.1% (95% CI 35.2–41.0%) had fair, and 8.8% (95% CI 7.1–10.5%) had poor outcomes. With pinhole, 75.2% (95% CI 72.6–77.8%) had good, 17.2% (95% CI 14.9–19.5%) had fair, and 7.4% (95% CI 5.8–9.0%) had poor outcomes. In 76.3% of eyes with fair and poor presenting outcomes we detected an avoidable cause for the suboptimal visual acuity. Place of surgery and duration since surgery of 3 years or more were risk factors for blindness, while SES, sex and site of first eye care contact were not.
Conclusion: The high prevalence of avoidable causes of visual impairment in this rural setting indicates the scope for preventive strategies. 相似文献
Methods: A cross-sectional population-based survey was performed on a representative sample of urban and rural individuals aged ≥50 years of the province. Blindness was defined as presenting visual acuity (PVA) <3/60 in the better eye. Moderate visual impairment (MVI) and severe visual impairment (SVI) were defined as 6/60 ≤ PVA <6/18 and 3/60 ≤ PVA <6/60 in the better eye, respectively. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was determined based on random blood sugar (RBS) levels ≥200 mg/dL or a previous diagnosis. We used the Scottish grading system to grade DR.
Results: We invited 2975 individuals from 85 clusters. Age- and sex-adjusted prevalence and 95% confidence interval (CI) of blindness, SVI, MVI, and DM in 2587 participants (response rate: 86.9%) were 1.5% (95% CI: 1.1–2.0), 1.5% (95% CI: 0.9–2.0), 11.3% (95% CI: 9.9–12.7) and 21.4% (95% CI: 19.2–23.7), respectively. The leading causes of blindness were cataract (47.1%), age-related macular degeneration (14.7%) and DR (8.8%). Cataract surgery (CS) coverage was 69.3%. The main challenges for CS were cost and unawareness. The outcome of CS was good in 66.9% of operated eyes. Any DR and/or maculopathy were observed in 25.3% (95% CI: 21.0–29.5) of subjects including 12.6% (95% CI: 9.7–15.6) sight-threatening DR. In previously known DM cases, 215 (41.7%) had never undergone an eye examination for DR.
Conclusion: The proportion of avoidable blindness and DR is considerable in Gilan Province. 相似文献
Methods: Children suspected of having low vision were identified by KIs or Aravind Eye Hospital personnel in Coimbatore District. All identified children underwent a cycloplegic refraction and full eye exam. A primary cause of decreased vision was determined for each child. The prevalence of FLV was calculated for children 6–14 years old. Spectacles and low vision devices were provided free of charge.
Results: 345 children aged 6–14 years were referred and 231 had FLV. The positive-predictive value of KI referrals was 64.5%. The prevalence of FLV was 0.071% (7.1 per 10,000; 95% CI 0.062–0.080%) and ranged from 0.026% to 0.141% across the district’s blocks. Older children (age 11–14 years; OR 1.41; 95% CI 1.09–1.82) and males (OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.16–1.98) had greater odds of being diagnosed with FLV. The most common causes of FLV were retinal disorders (30.0%) and amblyopia (25.5%). Low vision devices were provided to 169 children who had a mean near and distance visual acuity improvement of 0.31 and 0.63 logMAR, respectively (p < 0.001).
Conclusions: This study reports a moderate prevalence of FLV and demonstrates the ability of KIs to identify school-age children with FLV in South India. The provision of basic low vision services can improve visual outcomes in this population. 相似文献
Methods: In the first phase of the Shahroud Eye Cohort Study, 5190 people in 300 clusters from Shahroud city in the northeast of Iran participated in the study. The second phase of the study was conducted 5 years later in 2014. Vision testing, refraction, slit lamp examination, and fundus examination were performed for all participants. In this study, XFS was determined by an ophthalmologist using slit lamp biomicroscopy.
Results: Of the 5190 first phase study participants, 4737 participated in the second phase (response rate 91.3%). In this study, the prevalence of XFS was 0.46% (95% confidence interval, CI, 0.24–0.68%) and the prevalence of bilateral XFS was 0.20% (95% CI 0.07–0.33%). XFS prevalence in men was 0.74% (95% CI 0.28–1.20%) and in women 0.26% (95% CI 0.07–0.45%). In a multivariable-adjusted logistic regression model, age, sex, diabetes, smoking status, dyslipidemia, and hypertension were entered into the model as covariables, where older age (odds ratio, OR, 1.18, 95% CI 1.08–1.28) was the only variable that remained significantly associated with XFS prevalence.
Conclusion: The prevalence of XFS in this study was very low. Similar to other studies, age was a factor associated with this syndrome. 相似文献
Methods: A population-based prevalence survey was conducted in each Kano LGA. We used a two-stage systematic and quasi-random sampling strategy to select 25 households from each of 25 clusters in each LGA. All consenting household residents aged 1 year and above were examined for trachomatous inflammation–follicular (TF), trachomatous inflammation–intense (TI) and trichiasis.
Results: State-wide crude prevalence of TF in persons aged 1–9 years was 3.4% (95% CI 3.3–3.5%), and of trichiasis in those aged ≥15 years was 2.3% (95% CI 2.1–2.4%). LGA-level age- and sex-adjusted trichiasis prevalence in those aged ≥15 years ranged from 0.1% to 2.9%. All but 4 (9%) of 44 LGAs had trichiasis prevalences in adults above the elimination threshold of 0.2%. State-wide prevalence of trichiasis in adult women was significantly higher than in adult men (2.6% vs 1.8%; OR = 1.5, 95% CI 1.3–1.7; p = 0.001). Four of 44 LGAs had TF prevalences in 1–9-year-olds between 10 and 15%, while another six LGAs had TF prevalences between 5 and 9.9%. In 37 LGAs, >80% of households had access to water within 30 minutes round-trip, but household latrine access was >80% in only 19 LGAs.
Conclusion: Trichiasis is a public health problem in most LGAs in Kano. Surgeons need to be trained and deployed to provide community-based trichiasis surgery, with emphasis on delivery of such services to women. Antibiotics, facial cleanliness and environmental improvement are needed in 10 LGAs. 相似文献
Methods: Study participants comprised 1,211 children (481 male and 730 female), with age range 13-19 years. Visual functions evaluated included refractive error, accommodative amplitude, accuracy, facility and relative accommodation.
Results: A total of 242 participants (20.2%) had accommodative anomalies. Prevalence estimates were; accommodative infacility 12.9% (95% confidence interval, CI, 10.9-14.7%), accommodative insufficiency 4.5% (95% CI 3.4-5.8%) and accommodative excess 2.8% (95% CI 1.9-3.8%). There were no significant differences based on sex, school grade level or study site, except in the prevalence of accommodative infacility, which was significantly higher in the younger grade level than the older (P=0.027).
Conclusion: The study fills a gap in the literature in providing data on predominantly black South African students. The prevalence estimates for accommodative insufficiency and excess found in the sample studied are relatively low, while that of accommodative infacility is high. Accommodative anomalies were not markedly associated with demographic variables except for the prevalence of accommodative infacility, which was significantly higher in the younger grade level than the older. Identification and referral are important steps towards diagnosis and treatment of accommodative anomalies. Future studies on differences in prevalence of accommodative anomalies among different racial populations will be relevant. 相似文献
Methods: We used logistic regression to examine the association between prevalent DR and energy-adjusted lutein intake by quartile (Q) using data collected from 1430 Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC) participants with diabetes (n = 994 white, n = 508 black). DR was assessed from 45° non-mydriatic retinal photographs of one randomly chosen eye taken at visit 3 (1993–1995). Dietary lutein intake was estimated using a 66-item food frequency questionnaire at visit 1 (1987–1989).
Results: Median estimated daily lutein intake was 1370 µg/1000 kcals and prevalence of DR was ~21%. We found a crude association between lutein and DR (odds ratio, OR, 2.11, 95% confidence interval, CI, 1.45–3.09 for Q4, high intake, vs. Q1, low intake; p for trend <0.0001), which was attenuated after adjustment for ethnicity, duration of diabetes, glycosylated hemoglobin levels, field center and energy intake (OR 1.41, 95% CI 0.87–2.28; p for trend = 0.01). In analyses limited to persons with short diabetes duration (<6 years), the association no longer persisted (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.31–2.16; p for trend =0.72) compared to the association in those with longer diabetes duration (≥6 years; OR 1.58, 95% CI 0.91–2.75; p for trend = 0.01).
Conclusion: Contrary to our hypothesis, we found that the odds of higher lutein intake were greater among those with DR than those without DR. However, after adjusting for confounders, intake of lutein was not associated with DR. 相似文献
Methods: A community-based survey including 913 patients with known T2DM was conducted in Suzhou, China. Diabetes was defined as hemoglobin A1c (hbA1c) ≥6.5%, use of diabetic medication or a physician diagnosis of diabetes. Retinal photographs were graded for the presence of DR using the Airlie House classification system. Binary logistic regression models were established to examine the associations of risk factors with DR and vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy (VTDR).
Results: The overall prevalence of any DR was 18.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 15.5–20.6%) in this population. VTDR affected 4.4% (95% CI: 3.1–5.8%) of the study participants. In multivariate analysis, the presence of DR among T2DM patients was associated with decreased age (odds ratio [OR] = 0.97; p = 0.01; per year increase), longer durations of diabetes (OR = 1.02; per year increase; p = 0.03), higher blood levels of hbA1c (OR = 1.15; per unit increase; p = 0.03). Of the 158 participants with DR, only 12 (8%) had been aware of their condition or had been diagnosed previously as having DR.
Conclusions: The prevalence of DR among diabetes patients in eastern China was lower than those in northern China. The awareness of DR was poor, which emphasizes the pressing need for increasing the public awareness of this vision-threatening eye disorder and routine eye screening should be performed among T2DM patients in the communities. 相似文献
Methods: The population-based study was conducted in seven wards of Mumbai urban slums, where we screened 6569 subjects of ≥ 40 years age, with a response rate of 98.4%, for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) based on American Diabetes Association criteria. All subjects with T2DM underwent dilated 30° seven-field stereo-fundus-photography for DR severity grading based on modified Airlie House classification. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to assess the correlation of DR with the history-based risk factors.
Results: The prevalence of DR in the general population of Mumbai urban slums was 1.41% (95% CI 0.59–2.23) and in the T2DM population it was 15.37% (95% CI 8.87–21.87). The positive associations with DR were the longer duration of DM (≥ 11 years: OR, 12.77; 95% CI 2.93–55.61) and male gender (OR, 2.05; 95% CI 1.08–3.89); increasing severity of retinopathy was also significantly associated with longer duration of DM (p < 0.001). However, history of hypertension, family history of DM, consanguineous marriage and migration status were not associated with DR in the study population.
Conclusions: The prevalence of DR in the general population and T2DM subjects were 1.41% and 15.37% respectively in Mumbai urban slums. Duration of DM and male gender were significantly associated with DR. The slums in Western India show the trends of urban lifestyle influences similar to the rest of urban India. 相似文献
Methods: We conducted a rapid assessment of avoidable blindness (RAAB) in 8 districts of Bangladesh (January 2010 – December 2012) to establish the prevalence and causes of blindness. People aged ≥50 years were selected, and eligible participants had visual acuity (VA) measured. Ocular examinations were performed in those with VA<6/18. Additional information was collected for those who had or had not undergone cataract surgery to understand service barriers and quality of service.
Results: In total, 21,596 people were examined, of which 471 (2.2%, 95% confidence interval, CI, 2.0–2.4%) were blind. The primary cause of blindness was cataract (75.8%). The majority of blindness (86.2%) was avoidable. Cataract and refractive error were the primary causes of severe visual impairment (73.6%) and moderate visual impairment (63.6%), respectively. Cataract surgical coverage for blind persons was 69.3% (males 76.6%, females 64.3%, P<0.001). The magnitude of blindness among people aged ≥50 years was estimated to be 563,200 people (95% CI 512,000–614,400), of whom 426,342 had un-operated cataract.
Conclusions: In Bangladesh, the majority of blindness (86.2%) among people aged ≥50 years was avoidable, and cataract was the most important cause of avoidable blindness. Improving cataract surgical services and refraction services would be the most important step towards the elimination of avoidable blindness in Bangladesh. 相似文献
Methods: This population-based study of 10,033 participants (75.7% response rate) included Chinese, Indian and Malay persons aged 40 years and older. A comprehensive ophthalmic examination, standardized interviews and laboratory blood tests were performed. Digital fundus photographs were assessed for presence of RVO following the definitions used in the Blue Mountains Eye Study. Regression analysis models were constructed to study the relationship between ocular and systemic factors and RVO. Age-specific prevalence rates of RVO were applied to project the number of people affected in Asia from 2013 to 2040.
Results: The overall crude prevalence of RVO was 0.72% (n = 71; 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.54–0.87%). The crude prevalence of RVO was similar in Chinese, Indian and Malay participants (p = 0.865). In multivariable regression models, significant risk factors of RVO included increased age (odds ratio, OR, 1.03, 95% CI 1.01–1.06), hypertension (OR 3.65, 95% CI 1.61–8.31), increased serum creatinine (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01–1.06, per 10 mmol/L increase), history of heart attack (OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.11–4.54) and increased total cholesterol (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.07–1.59, per 1 mmol/L increase). None of the ocular parameters were associated with RVO. RVO is estimated to affect up to 16 and 21 million people in Asia by 2020 and 2040, respectively.
Conclusion: RVO was detected in 0.72% of a multi-ethnic Asian population aged 40–80 years in Singapore. The significant systemic risk factors of RVO are consistent with studies in white populations. 相似文献
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 106 of 272 cataract surgical centers in Iran were selected through multistage random cluster sampling from all provinces. In each province, the selected number of centers was proportionate to the number of cataract surgeries, and in each center, the selected number of charts was proportionate to the center’s number of cataract surgeries, from which we retrieved intraoperative complications.
Results: The prevalence of intraoperative complications of cataract surgery was 5.04% (95% confidence interval, CI, 3.53–6.54%) in 2006, which decreased significantly to 3.44% (95% CI 1.84–5.04%) in 2010. The most common complication was posterior capsular rupture/vitreous loss which decreased from 4.29% (95% CI 2.93–5.66%) in 2006 to 2.81% (95% CI 1.3–4.31%) in 2010. The next most common complication was suprachoroidal hemorrhage at 0.56% (95% CI 0.25–0.87%) in 2006 and 0.46% (95% CI 0.3–0.62%) in 2010. The least common complication concerned intraocular lens (IOL)-drop. Complications were seen most with lensectomy, while phacoemulsification caused the least complications. Mean hospitalization time in uncomplicated cases was 0.59 days (95% CI 0.58–0.61 days) and in complicated cases 1.14 days (95% CI 1.07–1.20 days; p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Complications of cataract surgery in Iran had a decreasing trend during 2006–2010. However, results from 2010 indicate that cataract surgical complications still need to be focused on. Hospitalization was longer for cases with complications, and further reducing this could help decrease costs of cataract surgery. 相似文献
Methods: Data were collected from all pediatric eye injury records (N = 454) admitted to three pediatric ophthalmology hospitals in two regions of Tajikistan between 2010 and 2012.
Results: A review of the records revealed a cumulative annual incidence of 12.8 PEI cases/100,000, with marked inter- and intra-regional differences. Mean age was 7.0 years (95% confidence interval, CI, 6.7–7.4), and male to female ratio was 2.5:1. PEI occurred predominantly outdoors (63%), in rural settings (76%) during unsupervised play, and typically resulted from the eye being hit (53%) by a pointed object (51%), resulting in an open-globe injury (56%). Median time-to-presentation was 24 hours (range 9.6 hours–10 days) and median duration of hospitalization was 15 days (range 2–29 days). Of the 454 cases, 111 (25%) resulted in a blind eye, 62 (14%) in severe visual impairment, and 45 (10%) in moderate visual impairment.
Conclusions: PEI is a major cause of pediatric monocular visual impairment in Tajikistan, with a high rural incidence of severe blinding injuries. Potential risks and outcomes relate to Tajikistan’s cultural, historical, and physical settings. We anticipate that the information provided by this study will facilitate development of culturally derived strategies to reduce PEI in Tajikistan. 相似文献
Methods: A prospective study was carried out that included 102 eyes from 51 patients undergoing intraocular surgery between December 2016 and April 2017. In each patient, the surgical eye (control group) only received ocular irrigation and the opposite eye (study group) received ocular irrigation with eyelid margin cleaning. Normal saline solution was used in all procedures. In each group, samples from the lower eyelid margins and lower fornices were cultured before and after cleaning. Povidone iodine and antibiotic eye drops were instilled after specimen collection.
Results: The most common bacterial isolate of all groups was Staphylococcus spp. There were no statistically significant differences of positive cultures between the control and study groups in either lower eyelid margins (Odds ratio [OR], 2.19; 95% CI, 0.84–5.72) nor lower fornices (OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.43–2.00). In addition, there were no statistically significant differences of positive cultures between before and after eyelid cleanings from both lower eyelid margins (OR, 2.74; 95% CI, 0.53–14.24) and lower fornices (OR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.21–2.57).
Conclusions: Eyelid margin cleaning with normal saline solution immediately before intraocular surgery did not help to decrease microbial loading on the ocular surfaces. The rate of bacterial contamination, however, was not increased which could be due to not performing eyelid compression. 相似文献
Methods: Information on smartphone use and ocular symptoms (blurring, redness, visual disturbance, secretion, inflammation, lacrimation and dryness) related to eye fatigue and strain from 715 adolescent subjects from three cities in Korea was obtained using a structured questionnaire. Ocular health was scored using number of ocular symptoms. Odds ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) and p-values for ocular symptoms were calculated with binomial and multinomial logistic regression models.
Results: Higher prevalence rates for ocular symptoms were observed in groups with greater exposure to smartphones (p < 0.05). Longer daily smartphone use was associated with a higher likelihood of having multiple ocular symptoms (5–7 symptoms out of 7 symptoms; p = 0.005). Excessive/intermittent use (>2 hours daily and ≤2 hours continuously) and excessive/persistent use (>2 hours daily and >2 hours continuously) compared to shorter use (<2 hours daily) were associated with multiple ocular symptoms (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.09–4.39; OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.11–4.57, respectively). A higher lifetime exposure to smartphones was associated with a higher likelihood of having multiple ocular symptoms (OR 3.05, 95% CI 1.51–6.19; p = 0.001).
Conclusion: Increasing exposure to smartphones can have a negative impact on ocular health in adolescents. 相似文献
Methods: A total of 51 clusters of 80 people (all ages) were sampled with probability proportionate to size and compact segment sampling. Visual acuity (VA) was measured with a tumbling “E” chart. An ophthalmic nurse examined people with VA<6/18 in either eye. The presence of hearing and physical impairments were assessed using clinical examination, and self-reported visual problems using the Washington Group Short Set.
Results: In total, 4080 people were enumerated of whom 3567 were screened (response rate 87%). The overall prevalence of visual impairment was 2.3% (95% CI 1.8–3.0%) and blindness was 0.6% (0.3–1.0%). The prevalence of both blindness and visual impairment increased rapidly with age, so that the vast majority of cases of visual impairment (84%) and blindness (82%) were in people aged 50+. Posterior segment disease and cataract were the main causes of blindness and visual impairment, with refractive error also an important cause of visual impairment. Cataract surgical coverage (proportion of all cataracts that had received surgery) was relatively high (87% of people at VA<6/60). Post-surgery outcomes were poor, with 31% of operated eyes having VA<6/60. Among the 82 people with visual impairment, 22% had a physical impairment or epilepsy and 30% had a hearing impairment. Self-reported difficulties in vision were relatively closely related to clinical measures of visual impairment.
Conclusions: Ophthalmic programmes in Cameroon need to incorporate control of posterior segment diseases while also working to improve outcomes after cataract surgery. 相似文献