Rapid assessment of avoidable blindness for health service planning

Mactaggart, Islay; Wallace, Sarah; Ramke, Jacqueline; Burton, Matthew J.; Bastawrous, Andrew; Limburg, Hans; Qureshi, Muhammad Babar; Foster, Allen; Kuper, Hannah

doi:10.2471/blt.18.217794

Cited by 17 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 6 publications

(5 reference statements)

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“…An updated RAAB survey protocol will be released in 2021, which will support the collection of additional visual acuity data outlined in appendix 1 (p 77) , to enable estimation of effective refractive error coverage. 319 …”

Section: Section 6: Beyond 2020—delivering High-quality Universal Eyementioning

confidence: 99%

The Lancet Global Health Commission on Global Eye Health: vision beyond 2020

Burton

Ramke

Marques

et al. 2021

The Lancet Global Health

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Eye health is essential to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals; vision needs to be reframed as a development issue There is extensive evidence showing that improving eye health contributes directly and indirectly to achieving many Sustainable Development Goals, including reducing poverty and improving work productivity, general and mental health, and education and equity. Improving eye health is a practical and cost-effective way of unlocking human potential. Eye health needs to be reframed as an enabling, cross-cutting issue within the sustainable development framework. Almost everyone will experience impaired vision or an eye condition during their lifetime and require eye care services; urgent action is necessary to meet the rapidly growing eye health need In 2020, 1•1 billion people had distance vision impairment or uncorrected presbyopia. By 2050, this figure is expected to rise to 1•8 billion. Most affected people live in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) with avoidable causes of vision impairment. During the life course, most people will experience vision impairment, even if just the need for reading glasses. Because of unmet needs and an ageing global population, eye health is a major public health and sustainable development concern which warrants urgent political action. Eye health is an essential component of universal health coverage; it must be included in planning, resourcing, and delivery of health care Universal health coverage is not universal without affordable, high quality, equitable eye care. In line with the WHO World report on vision, we urge countries to consider eye care as an essential service within universal health coverage. To deliver comprehensive services including promotion, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation, eye care needs to be included in national strategic health plans and development policies, health financing structures, and health workforce planning. Coordinated intersectoral action is needed to systematically improve population eye health, also within healthy ageing initiatives, schools, and the workplace. Integration of eye health services with multiple relevant components of health service delivery and at all levels of the health system is of central importance.

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Section: Section 6: Beyond 2020—delivering High-quality Universal Eyementioning

confidence: 99%

The Lancet Global Health Commission on Global Eye Health: vision beyond 2020

Burton

Ramke

Marques

et al. 2021

The Lancet Global Health

Self Cite

756

572

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The Sustainable Development Goal mantra of leaving no one behind, as well as renewed focus from WHO on achieving universal health coverage, mean that political pressure is greater than ever for governments to demonstrate that they are including all members of society in all they do, including health service provision. Population based surveys, including those focused on visual impairment, need to incorporate measures of equity, to ensure that results can be examined by different population subgroups (1,8,10,14).…”

Section: Key Indicators Of Success For National Blindness Prevention mentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in prevalence and causes of visual impairment and cataract surgical coverage in Nampula, Mozambique between 2011 and 2018: findings from two cross-sectional surveys

Jolley¹,

Cumaio²,

Vilanculos³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Abstract Background Globally, there are few examples of repeated eye health surveys to assess changes in prevalence and causes of visual impairment, and service coverage over time. Two separate, unlinked rapid assessments of avoidable blindness (RAAB) were conducted in Nampula province, Mozambique in 2011 and 2018. This paper reports the observed changes and examines how the trends differ for males and females. Methods Standard RAAB methodology was used in both studies. Two-stage cluster sampling was used to generate random samples of adults aged over 50 years. Participants underwent a simplified visual acuity exam focusing on presenting and pinhole visual acuity (VA), a lens exam and posterior segment exam using a direct ophthalmoscope for all subjects with presenting VA < 6/18. Data were analysed using Stata and logistic regression models were developed to assess changes. Results The 2011 study enrolled 3,050 people and examined 96.9% (2,954 people). The 2018 survey enrolled 4,191 people and examined 95.8% (4,015 people). Age and sex adjusted estimates of blindness decreased from 6.2% in 2011 to 4.5% in 2018 (z=-2.21, p = 0.028), severe visual impairment remained the same (2.6% in 2011 and 2.7% in 2018, z = 0.1, p = 0.9) and moderate visual impairment increased (5.9% in 2011 to 11.0% in 2018, z = 5.78, p < 0.001). Cataract surgical coverage was higher among males in both surveys (13.4% among males vs 7.7% among females in 2011, and 40.0% among males vs 19.4% among females in 2018) and the gender disparity grew between surveys. Conclusions Significant changes were observed in the eye health and service coverage between 2011 and 2018. An increase in the proportion of good visual acuity among operated eyes between the surveys is of note and may correspond with improvements made to the services provided in the province. Further improvements to services are required to improve access for women and people with moderate visual impairment.

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“…Although RAAB studies provide less specific clinical results than comprehensive eye studies, they have been broadly promoted as a feasible, fairly standardized model providing baseline information on the magnitude and causes of blindness and some common indicators related to eye care services. [6] In particular, this method is relevant to settings where a health information system has not been systematically established. In comparison to comprehensive eye studies, RAAB studies require less time, resources, sample size and expert staff.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The World Health Organization has recommended RAAB methodology as a standard tool for eye care needs assessment and as the first step in district level eye health planning. [6] Ideally, the survey should accordingly be followed by an eye health plan specified to the survey area and implemented programs should be continuously monitored. Correspondingly, the inventors of the RAAB survey have recently included a planning module to the new version of the RAAB tool.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%