Prevalence and Causes of Blindness, Low Vision and Status of Cataract in 50 Years and Older Citizen of Qatar—A Community Based Survey

Abstract

To reduce avoidable blindness, un-operated cataract should be addressed. Primary and secondary eye care systems should be strengthened to improve the care of blinding eye diseases in Qatar.

Rapid assessment of avoidable blindness and diabetic retinopathy in Taif, Saudi Arabia

“…This may reflect improvements in eye care services and living standards. Our blindness prevalence estimates were within the range of other recent RAABs carried out in the Middle East, including Iran (1.5%),13 Qatar (1.5%),14 and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (3.4%) 9. Blindness was more common among females, older participants and people lacking in formal education, all findings which have been observed elsewhere 15–17.…”

Prevalence and causes of vision loss in North Africa and the Middle East: 1990–2010

“…Recent data (published since 2010) were reported for Iran,14–17 occupied Palestinian territories18 and Qatar 19. Recent data from other North African countries were particularly lacking.…”

Development and validation of an Arabic version of the visual functioning index VF-14 for cataract patients

“…In the Middle East, Arabic is spoken in 22 Arabic countries with a total population of 291 million inhabitants. Additionally, the prevalence of blindness in this region is one of the highest 13. There is also a dramatic increase in ocular research that mandates the need to develop and validate a reliable Arabic version of the VF-14.…”