Evaluation of the Community Cataract Surgical Services of a University Teaching Hospital Using Cataract Surgical Coverage in Nigeria

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cataract is the leading cause of blindness in the world. An efficient and effective cataract surgical service is necessary to reduce the backlog of cataract blindness in the community. This study aims to determine the cataract surgical coverage among individuals aged 50 years and above residing in Esie and Arandun communities. This will serve as a measure of the impact of the cataract intervention programme provided by the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. METHODS: The study was a population-based, cross sectional survey conducted from November to December, 2013. Cataract surgical services are provided by the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, at Esie and Arandun communities as out-reach centres. Seven hundred and fifty-five individuals aged 50 years and above residing in these communities had basic ocular examination done. RESULT: Out of the 765 subjects registered, 755(98.7%) were examined. Out of these, 38.4% were males and 61.6% were females. The prevalence of bilateral cataract blindness was 1.6%. The Cataract Surgical Coverage (eyes) at visual acuity < 3/60 for males and females were 52.3% and 51.2% respectively (X2=19.30, p=0.001), while the Cataract Surgical Coverage (person) at visual acuity less < 3/60 for males and females were 80.6% and 68.4% respectively (X2=2.10, p=0.147). CONCLUSION: The Cataract Surgical Coverage was high with a correspondingly low prevalence of cataract blindness in these communities. The availability of cataract surgical services via out-reach programmes bridges the gap between eye care-givers and the community.

Cataract Prevalence and Its Associated Factors among Adult People Aged 40 Years and above in South Ari District, Southern Ethiopia

“…Te fndings are comparable with results of many studies conducted in diferent parts of Ethiopia, 67.3% in Gurage and 78.1% in Central Ethiopia [21]. Te fnding is also comparable with results of many developing countries: Kenya 46%, Sudan 45.8%, Nigeria 61%, and Pakistan 76.1% [6,10,17].…”

“…Te prevalence of cataract in the study area was 7.8% which is relatively higher than the reported prevalence of 6.28% in Kenya and 3.64% in Gurage zone and lower than 13.27% in Sudan and 15% in central Ethiopia [9,10,14,16]. Worldwide, the prevalence of cataract among adults aged 40 years and above has been reported to vary between 1.6% and 35.1% by diferent researchers [3,6,15,[17][18][19]. Tere are several factors infuencing the diference in the prevalence between countries and researchers, such as variations in reporting methods and standards.…”

Expression of miR-210-3p in the aqueous humor of patients with age-related cataracts and its effect on human lens epithelial cell injury induced by hydrogen peroxide

“…Cataracts are a primary cause of blindness globally (22) . Studies have shown that ARC is the result of the combined action of multiple factors, and no exact mechanisms are known.…”

Association between health insurance membership and cataract surgery utilization: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The primary barrier impeding the utilization of cataract surgery services predominantly lies in the financial aspect, as revealed by 52.0% of individuals afflicted with cataractinduced blindness who cited their incapacity to finance the surgical procedure as the decisive factor for not undergoing cataract surgery. [19] A study by Broman et al(2005) identified key predictors for the attainment of cataract surgery within the population, emphasizing the significance of ac-cessible medical care: Individuals with regular health-care services or possessing health insurance exhibited notably elevated rates of cataract surgery coverage. [20] Affordabilities of eye care services are influenced by the cost of treatment, income level, indirect costs such as the loss of productivity and foregone earnings, and health insurance status.…”