Prevalence of blindness and its causes among those aged 50 years and above in rural Karnataka, South India

Abstract

To estimate the prevalence of blindness and its causes among those aged 50 years and above in rural Karnataka. A total of 1505 people aged 50 years and above from 15 villages were examined. The participants were selected through a house-to-house survey by the cluster sampling method. Visual acuity was tested using a modified Snellen's chart, and eyes were examined to ascertain the cause of blindness. The prevalence of blindness was 6.6% (95% confidence interval: 5.3-7.8%). Bilateral cataract was the principal cause of blindness among 78.7% of the blind and 12.1% were operated for cataract. In conclusion, the study area has a high burden of cataract blindness. Cataract surgical services should be made readily accessible and available to this rural population.

Prevalence and causes of avoidable blindness and severe visual impairment in a tribal district of Maharashtra, India

“…[13–15] In the surveys conducted in 90s and early part of this decade in India, the surveys documented 4.6%, 6.1%, and 6.6% blindness rates in “50 years and old” age group. [16–20] The access to the eye care services in the past seems to be worse in the tribal areas compared with the rural India and this could have resulted in a high backlog of curable/preventable causes of blindness.…”

Cataract surgery outcome at a rural eye care hospital in India

“…The age and gender adjusted prevalence of cataract blindness varies from 1.58% to 7.24%. 2, 3 At present, an estimated 10 million cataract surgeries are performed every year. 4 It is important to analyse the visual outcome after surgery in order to assess the impact of the cataract surgical services.…”