Prevalence, causes of blindness, visual impairment and cataract surgical services in Sindhudurg district on the western coastal strip of India

Abstract

Background:Konkan coast of India is geographically distinct and its pattern of blindness has never been mapped.Aim:To study the prevalence and causes of blindness and cataract surgical services in Sindhudurg district of West Coast.Subjects:Individual aged > 50 years.Materials and Methods:Rapid assessment of avoidable blindness used to map blindness pattern in the district. Statistical analysis: SPSS version 19.Results:Amongst those examined 1415 (51.7%) had visual acuity (VA) >20/60, 924 (33.8%, confidence interval (C.I) 30.5%-36.8%) had VA 20/200-<20/60(visual impairment), 266 (9.7%, C.I. 6.1%-13.3%) had VA < 20/200-20/400 (severe visual impairment) and 132 (4.8%, C. I. 1.1%-8.5%) had VA < 20/400 (blindness by WHO standards). There was no significant gender difference in prevalence of blindness, but blindness and visual impairment was more in older and rural residing individuals. Amongst those with presenting vision < 20/200 in better eye, 309 (82.4%) had cataract, 36 (9.7%) had corneal scars, 13 (3.5%) had diabetic retinopathyand 3 (0.8%) had glaucoma. Cataract surgical coverage for the district was only 30.5%; 32% for males and 28.4% for females. Unable to afford, lack of knowledge and lack of access to services were the commonest barriers responsible for cataract patients not seeking care. Amongst those who had undergone cataract surgery, only 50% had visual acuity ≥ 20/60.46.9% of the population had spectacles for near, but only 53.3% of the population had presenting near vision < N10.Conclusion:Cataract, refractive errors and diabetes were significant causes of visual impairment and blindness.

Prevalence and causes of visual impairment among adults aged 15–49 years in a rural area of north India - A population-based study

“…Our estimates are lower than another study conducted in a rural south Indian site (2.7%, 95% CI: 2.1, 3.3) and outside – Mozambique with prevalence of visual impairment in this age group as 3.5% (95% CI: 2.7, 4.2). [ 7 12 ]…”

“…It is heartening to note that this estimate is lower than what is reported in other settings in this age group – Mozambique (2.6%), south India (5.8%), Eritrea (6.4%), and Tanzania (7.5%). [ 7 12 18 19 ] The differences in the study might be attributed to variations in geographic location, sample size, study methodology, timing, availability, and utilization of eye care services. It is seen that the prevalence of visual impairment is on decline with increasing time trends.…”

Rapid Assessment of Visual Impairment in Urban Population of Delhi, India

“…[ 10 , 16 ] RAAB conducted in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra demonstrated prevalence of blindness as 14.5% and prevalence of 7.4% in Kolar district of Karnataka. [ 11 , 17 ]…”

Epigenetics in the Eye: An Overview of the Most Relevant Ocular Diseases

“…Cataracts are the result of opacity (clouding) in the crystalline lens, blocking the transmission of light that reaches the retina. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) it is the number one leading cause of reversible vision loss; although it is reversible by means of appropriate interventions, WHO estimates that, worldwide, cataracts are the cause of approximately 50% of the cases of blindness ( Mahdi et al, 2014 ; Patil et al, 2014 ). Due to the increase of life expectancy that leads to progressive expansion of the elderly population, the National Eye Institute, estimates the number of people in the U.S. with cataract will double by the 2050, from the current 24.4 million to about 50 million cases.…”