Factors limiting the Northeast Indian elderly population from seeking cataract surgical treatment: Evidence from Kolasib district, Mizoram, India

Abstract

Purpose:Reliable data on the barriers to the uptake of cataract surgical services in the Northeast Indian states are scanty. The purpose of this study was to assess the barriers to uptake of cataract surgical services among elderly patients and suggest appropriate strategies to reduce these.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients who failed to avail cataract surgical services, 6–12 months’ postinitial diagnosis at a community eye health camp. Validated questionnaire was used to collect information through face-to-face interviews at the residence of the participants. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were conducted to assess the association between the barriers quoted and sociodemographic variables.Results:A total of 140 (89.2%) individuals participated in the study, of whom 56 (40%) were aged between 71 and 80 years. The median age for men and women was 73.5 and 72.5 years, respectively. About 57% of participants were female patients. A total of 66 (47.1%) participants had borderline visual acuity followed by those with poor vision (41.4%, n = 58). “Bad roads/difficult terrain” (P = 0.009), “witnessed bad surgical outcomes in others” and “did not feel important” (P < 0.024), “poor overall health status” (P < 0.001), “lack of information” (P = 0.025) and “no escort” (P = 0.025) were significant barriers reported by this population.Conclusion:Most of the barriers reported in this study seem to be endogenous in nature and appear to be within the purview of the local eye care service provider to remedy. Counseling and targeted awareness and information, education, and communication strategies could nullify many of the barriers reported in this study.

Effect of evidence-based nursing on the application of ultrasonic emulsification operation for cataract and the postoperative rehabilitation indicators

“…Some studies have confirmed that cataract can make cloudy lens interfere with light, resulting in patients with retina can not accurately image, monocular diplopia, glare, blurred vision and other clinical symptoms (Kumar et al, 2018;Foster et al, 2018). At present, the pathogenesis of cataract is not clear, but a large number of studies have shown that it may be closely related to heredity, lens metabolism, hypertension, diabetes and other factors (Ramke et al, 2017).…”

Population-based assessment of barriers for uptake of eye care services among elderly people: Findings from rapid assessment of visual impairment studies from Telangana, India

“…Most of the available literature on barriers to eye care was reported among those aged ≥15 years,[ 6 7 9 10 11 12 ] and limited data are available on aged ≥50 years. [ 8 13 14 15 ] The present study aims to identify the barriers to seeking eye care among those aged ≥60 years (elderly).…”

Eye care seeking behavior among rural adults in South India: Tamil Nadu Rural Eye Examination (TREE) Study Report 1

“…[ 6 ] Reports from different regions of the country have shown 7–53.0% of eye care seeking behavior (ECSB) among the rural population. [ 7 8 9 10 11 12 ] Less accessibility and affordability, a low socio-economic status, and less awareness about ocular conditions were the common reasons attributed toward decreased utilization of eye care services in rural areas of India. [ 8 9 10 ]…”

“…[ 7 8 9 10 11 12 ] Less accessibility and affordability, a low socio-economic status, and less awareness about ocular conditions were the common reasons attributed toward decreased utilization of eye care services in rural areas of India. [ 8 9 10 ]…”