Old people in Sudan are greatly influenced by the economic situation; the impact of poverty, illiteracy, poor health, nutritional status and most importantly lack of health care programs, professional and supportive services. Aims: To estimate the level of awareness of rights and supportive services among the elderly population; to address the self-expressed needs for elderly patients with senile cataract in Sudan; and to identify the current available programs supporting elderly people and highlight their activities. Methods: Cross-sectional, hospital based study was conducted in Makkah Eye Complex located in Khartoum Alryad; in period (October 2009-March 2010). Elderly patients (100 pre-operative cases were asked to participate in the study. Participation was entirely voluntary. Information was collected by means of interviews, questionnaires, observation and clinical assessment. The data were analyzed using SPAW Statistics-18 (2010) a modified version of SPSS. Results: The research results revealed that there was a shortage about older people education and knowledge about their rights (UN Principle) two-thirds of the patients (67%) were unaware of their rights, 53% (more than half) of the patients had never been treated by eye specialist; however, 47% had been treated. Ninety seven percent had received no help from supportive services or government, only 3% had received help from non-governmental organizations. Knowledge of supportive services exists; but varies considerably. Conclusions: Lack of awareness of rights, supportive services, and the importance of having eye examination was partially due to illiteracy and partially due to low priority at governmental levels. Awareness and availability of services alone is insufficient without having accessibility to it.

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Abstract:The aim of the study is to determine the average intra-ocular lens power (IOL) for Sudanese patients with senile cataract. To contribute towards cataract treatment in Sudan and blindness prevention the goal of VISION 2020: The Right to Sight. Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional, hospital based study was conducted in Makkah Eye Complex in Khartoum Alryad; in the period (October 2009-July 2010. Elderly patients (300); their age varied 60-95 years with senile cataract were asked to participate in the study. Participation was entirely voluntary. Information was collected by means of interview, clinical assessment and ocular measurements. The data were analyzed using SPAW Statistics-18 (2010) a modified version of SPSS. Results: The average horizontal corneal power (K1) for right eye (RE) 42.70D (SD ±1.625) and left eye (LE) 43.59D (SD±1.879).The average vertical corneal power (K2) for RE 43.97D (SD ±1.710) and left LE 44.85D (SD ±1.919). The average axial length is 23.72mm (SD ±1.143) and 23.16mm (SD ±0.939) for the RE and LE respectively. The average IOL power for Extra-capsular cataract extraction (ECCE); with IOL to be implanted in the posterior chamber (PCIOL) was calculated to be 20.03D (SD ±1.409) for the RE and 20.19D (SD ±2.639) for the LE. However, for Phacoemulsification (Phaco) the IOL power is calculated to be 20.06D (SD ±1.740) and 21.17D (SD ±1.658) for the RE and LE respectively. Conclusions: The average corneal power was found be (42-45D), axial length (23-24mm), where as the IOL power (20-21D); similar to international standards. In this study the biometric measurements were considered pre-operatively for all patients studied. Changes in biometric measurements after cataract extraction were not investigated since it wasn't part of the research objective; however, further studies are recommended to determine the influence of cataract extraction in corneal power, curvature, thickness, depth of anterior chamber and axial length.