A population-based eye survey of older adults in a rural district of Rajasthan: II. Outcomes of cataract surgery

Trends in the Ophthalmic Workforce and Eye Care Infrastructure in South India: Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study

BACKGROUND

This study is part of broad-based research to determine the impact of blindness control activities in general and with special reference to the Andhra Pradesh Right to Sight Society (APRTSS) activities in the southern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. As part of the global "VISION 2020: The Right to Sight" initiative, the APRTSS was established in the undivided state of Andhra Pradesh in 2002. Since then, the APRTSS has been actively implementing the strategies of VISION 2020 to reduce visual impairment and blindness in the state.

OBJECTIVE

The availability and distribution of the eye care workforce are essential to reach the goals of VISION 2020: The Right to Sight, the global initiative to eliminate avoidable blindness. This study assessed the trends in the availability and distribution of eye health professionals and eye care infrastructure in 2 southern Indian states: Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study used a pretested questionnaire to gather data for the year from 2012 to 2013. Data for 2002 to 2003 were collected from available historical records. The questionnaires were pretested in a pilot study conducted before the main survey. Pretested questionnaires were administered to all eye care professionals-ophthalmologists (n=1712) and midlevel ophthalmic personnel (MLOP; n=1250)-eye care facilities with ≥10 inpatient beds or performing ≥100 cataract surgeries per annum (n=640), local nongovernmental eye care organizations (n=182), and international eye care organizations (n=10). Data were collected for 2 different time periods: the baseline year of 2002 to 2003 and the target year of 2012 to 2013. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 19.0.

RESULTS

The response rates were 81.1% (519/640) for eye care facilities, 96.1% (1645/1712) for ophthalmologists, and 67.6% (845/1250) for MLOP. From 2002-2003 to 2012-2013, there has been an increase in eye care facilities, from 234 to 519 (121.8%); ophthalmologists, from 935 to 1712 (83.1%); and MLOP, from 767 to 1250 (63%). The ophthalmologist:population ratio improved from 1:88,260 in 2002-2003 to 1:51,468 in 2012-2013. The MLOP:population ratio improved from 1:168,283 in 2002-2003 to 1:138,117 in 2012-2013 but still falls short of the ideal number.

CONCLUSIONS

Both southern Indian states are able to meet the requirements for ophthalmologists and eyecare infrastructure as per the goals of VISION 2020. However, the number of MLOP falls short of the ideal ratio for the population. This study has some limitations. For example, most of the data collected through questionnaires were based on self-report, which might introduce bias due to memory recall or over or under-reporting of certain information. However, this was addressed by cross-checking the collected data with information from supplementary sources.

Visual Outcome Following Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery at a Tertiary Center in South India

Introduction

Cataract being one of the leading causes of avertible blindness has been found to be quite prevalent in developing countries like India. The National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB) aims at reducing blindness due to cataract via cataract control programs. The most commonly performed surgery is the manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS).

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine the visual acuity and outcome in patients who underwent MSICS in a tertiary hospital in south India.

Methodology

A prospective longitudinal interventional study was conducted in a tertiary hospital in Karnataka, India, over a period of nine months. A total of 105 eyes underwent MSICS and were followed up for one month to assess their postoperative visual outcome and complications, if any. During this period, they were started on antibiotic + steroid combination eyedrops, which were tapered over four weeks.

Results

Results were assessed based on visual grading categorized by the World Health Organization (WHO). A total of 103 (98.1%) patients had good vision, i.e., visual acuity of 6/6 - 6/18, followed by two (1.9%) who had moderate vision i.e., visual acuity of <6/18 - 3/60, and none were blind or with visual acuity of <3/60. Complications seen intraoperatively in two patients (1.9%) were iris prolapse and posterior capsular rent, respectively, and postoperatively one (0.95%) patient showed hyphema with inferior haptic in the anterior chamber.

Conclusion

This study proves that a good visual outcome with a low complication rate can be achieved after MSICS with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation.

Outcomes and Associated Factors of Cataract Surgery Among Adults Attending a Tertiary Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background

Visual outcomes and factors associated with cataract surgery vary from country to country and within countries. This study aimed to evaluate associated factors and visual outcomes following cataract surgery among adults attending Saint Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Patients and Methods

We conducted a prospective, longitudinal study of consecutive adult patients scheduled for cataract surgery between May 2018 and April 2019. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative data were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regressions were used to analyze the data. We used World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for cataract surgery outcome assessment as a reference for comparison.

Results

Three hundred fourteen eyes of 314 participants (mean age 64.16±8.83 SD, 52% females, 44% from rural location) were included in the study. Most, 283 (90.1%) had preoperative visual acuity less than 6/60. At final follow-up visit (6 to 8 weeks), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was good (≥6/18) in 215 (68.5%), borderline (<6/18–6/60) in 63 (20.1%) and poor (<6/60) in 36 (11.5%) eyes. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) [OR = 4.57, 95% CI [1.12–17.24], p=0.03] and preoperative astigmatism [OR = 3.22, 95% CI [1.25–8.33], p=0.01] were significantly associated with poor postoperative visual outcome.

Conclusion

While the majority of patients had good postoperative BCVA following cataract surgery, the percentage of patients with poor visual outcomes was higher than the WHO standard. Greater attention to pre-existing co-morbidities such as retinal disease and high astigmatism could improve outcomes by optimizing patient selection and surgical approach.

The prevalence and causes of visual impairment among ethnic Tujia adults in a rural community in China

We aimed to investigate the prevalence and causes of visual impairment (VI) in an elderly Tujia ethnic rural population in Southwest China.From June 1 to December 31, 2018, a random cluster sampling survey was conducted among Tujia individuals aged 50 years or older in the rural areas of Qianjiang District County in Chongqing. The sampling design used village-based clusters of approximately equal size (1000 people). The sampling frame was composed of 110 clusters including 26,527 adults aged 50 years or older; 10 clusters (2556 adults) were randomly selected, and 2122 subjects were examined. Ophthalmologic examinations and questionnaires were administered to all the participants. Low vision and blindness were defined using best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and presenting visual acuity, according to The World Health Organization standard. The prevalence of VI was estimated, and causes of VI were identified.The participation rate was 83.0%. The prevalence of VI was 15.2% (BCVA 8.0%). In the study population, the prevalence of low vision and blindness increased with age (P < .05) and was higher among those with a low education level (P < .01). The majority of VI was attributed to cataracts (50.0%) and uncorrected refractive error (35.7%). With BCVA, cataract (79.3%) was the most common cause of VI, followed by age-related macular degeneration (10.7%).The main causes of VI in Tujia ethnic were cataracts and refractive errors. Both cataracts and refractive errors are curable eye diseases; thus, local health institutions need to adopt a more active eye care project as a strategy to prevent blindness.

Effects of cataract surgery and intra-ocular lens implantation on visual function and quality of life in age-related cataract patients: a systematic review protocol

BACKGROUND

Cataract is the leading cause of blindness and low vision worldwide. Presently, cataract surgery is the only treatment for cataract and is very effective in restoring sight. In cataract surgery, the natural lens of the eye that becomes clouded is removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens. There are multiple techniques for removal of lens as well as many types of intraocular lenses available for implantation. For this reason, it becomes imperative to monitor the impact of different surgical techniques and different intraocular lenses on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of the patients. This systematic review aims to evaluate HRQoL evidences on effects of different types of cataract surgeries and intraocular lenses on visual function and quality of life in age-related cataract patients.

METHOD

Databases like Cochrane, EMBASE, SCOPUS, NHS Economic Evaluation Database (NHS EED), Health Technology Assessment (HTA) database, MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov , Current Controlled Trials and World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO ICTRP) will be searched systematically. Two reviewers will independently screen studies using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria along with the extraction of data, and assessment of methodological quality using a standard checklist.

DISCUSSION

This systematic review will help in understanding how different types of cataract surgeries and intraocular lenses make a difference on quality of life of age-related cataract patients in terms of visual function and health-related quality of life. As the review attempts to bring together all the cataract-related HRQoL evidences pertaining to different cataract surgical techniques, different intraocular lenses and cataract-related complications, it will also identify gaps in evidence.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42018092377.

Barriers for Cataract Treatment among Elderly in Sri Lanka

Cataract is still the leading cause of blindness. Many government institutes and voluntary organizations in Sri Lanka are providing free treatment services to patients with cataract. Still people are not patronizing the available free services; thus they have to live with impaired vision or blindness. This paper describes the barriers for cataract treatment among the population over 60 years of age. Out of 470 elders, 379 were found to have some kind of cataract. This study demonstrated lack of awareness and knowledge, socioeconomic factors, and misconceptions as the main barriers for cataract treatment which has led to a lower cataract surgery rate irrespective of the high cataract prevalence reported. Findings of this study highlight the importance of cataract as a common health problem in elderly and need for removal of the barriers for its treatment which should be given due prominence in the formulation of public health policy in Sri Lanka at the earliest.

International Vision Care: Issues and Approaches

Globally, 32.4 million individuals are blind and 191 million have moderate or severe visual impairment (MSVI); 80% of cases of blindness and MSVI are avoidable. However, great efforts are needed to tackle blindness and MSVI, as eye care in most places is delivered in isolation from and without significant integration with general health sectors. Success stories, including control of vitamin A deficiency, onchocerciasis, and trachoma, showed that global partnerships, multisectoral collaboration, public-private partnerships, corporate philanthropy, support from nongovernmental organizations-both local and international-and governments are responsible for the success of these programs. Hence, the World Health Organization's universal eye health global action plan for 2014-2019 has a goal of reducing the public health problem of blindness and ensuring access to comprehensive eye care; the plan aims to integrate eye health into health systems, thus providing universal eye health coverage (UEHC). This article discusses the challenges faced by low- and middle-income countries in strengthening the six building blocks of the health system. It discusses how the health systems in these countries need to be geared toward tackling the issues of emerging noncommunicable eye diseases, existing infectious diseases, and the common causes of blindness and visual impairment, such as cataract and refractive error. It also discusses how some of the comprehensive eye care models in the developing world have addressed these challenges. Moving ahead, if we are to achieve UEHC, we need to develop robust, sustainable, good-quality, comprehensive eye care programs throughout the world, focusing on the areas of greatest need. We also need to develop public health approaches for more complex problems such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, childhood blindness, corneal blindness, and low vision. There is also a great need to train high-level human resources of all cadres in adequate numbers and quality. In addition to this, we need to exploit the benefits of modern technological innovations in information, communications, biomedical technology, and other domains to enhance quality of, access to, and equity in eye care.

Population-based assessment of visual acuity outcomes following cataract surgery in Australia: the National Eye Health Survey

AIM

To assess the visual outcomes of cataract surgery among a national sample of non-Indigenous and Indigenous Australians.

METHODS

This was a population-based study of 3098 non-Indigenous Australians (50-98 years) and 1738 Indigenous Australians (40-92 years), stratified by remoteness. A poor postoperative outcome in an eye that had undergone cataract surgery was defined as presenting distance visual acuity (PVA) <6/12-6/60, and a very poor outcome was defined as PVA <6/60. Effective cataract surgery coverage (eCSC; operated cataract and a good outcome (PVA ≥6/12) as a proportion of operable plus operated cataract) was calculated.

RESULTS

The sampling weight adjusted cataract surgery prevalence was 19.8% (95% CI 17.9 to 22.0) in non-Indigenous Australians and 8.2% (95% CI 6.0 to 9.6) in Indigenous Australians. Among the non-Indigenous population, poor and very poor PVA outcomes were present in 18.1% and 1.9% of eyes, respectively. For Indigenous Australians, these values were 27.8% and 6.3%, respectively. The main causes of poor vision were refractive error (non-Indigenous=41.8%; Indigenous=41.9%) and coincident disease (non-Indigenous=43.3%; Indigenous=40.3%). The eCSC rates in the non-Indigenous and Indigenous populations were 88.5% (95% CI 85.2 to 91.2) and 51.6% (95% CI 42.4 to 60.7), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Approximately half of eyes with a poor visual outcome postcataract surgery could be readily avoided through the appropriate refractive correction. The finding of a lower eCSC rate among Indigenous Australians suggests that improvements in access and quality of cataract services may be warranted in order to reduce cataract-related vision loss in the Indigenous population.

Outcomes of Cataract Surgery in Urban and Rural Population in the South Indian State of Andhra Pradesh: Rapid Assessment of Visual Impairment (RAVI) Project

OBJECTIVE

To assess the visual outcomes after cataract surgery among urban and rural population aged ≥40 years in the South India state of Andhra Pradesh.

METHODS

A population based cross-sectional study was conducted in which 7800 subjects were sampled from two rural and one urban location. Visual Acuity was assessed and eye examination were performed by trained personnel. A questionnaire was used to collect personal and demographic information, and history of cataract surgery. Blindness and moderate Visual Impairment (MVI) was defined as presenting VA <6/60 and <6/18 to 6/60 in the better eye respectively.

RESULTS

In total, 7378 (94.6%) were examined. Of these, 1228 eyes of 870 individuals were operated for cataract. The mean age of operated subjects was 63.7 years (SD: 10.7 years). Overall, 56.3% of those operated were women, 76% were illiterate and 42% of them were using spectacles after cataract surgery. Even after surgery, 12.2% of the operated eyes had MVI and blindness was seen in 14.7% of the eyes. A significantly higher proportion of subjects in urban area had good outcome as compared to those in the rural area (p = 0.01). Uncorrected refractive error (58.7%) was the leading cause of MVI, and posterior segment disease (34.3%) was the leading cause of blindness. On applying multiple logistic regression, risk factors for poor outcomes were age ≥ 70 years (OR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.3-2.8), rural residence (OR: 1.3, 95% CI:1.0-1.8) and presence of aphakia (OR: 8.9, 95% CI: 5.7-13.8).

CONCLUSIONS

Post cataract surgery, refractive errors remain an important correctable cause of MVI, in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The correction of refractive errors is required to provide good visual recovery and achieve the benefit of cataract surgery.

The Correlation of Age and Postoperative Visual Acuity for Age-Related Cataract

Purpose. Clinically, what is the best time for age-related cataract (ARC) patients to receive surgeries and get the most benefits is important. We explored the relationship between age and presenting postoperative visual acuity (POVA) in patients from rural China. Methods. Three Lifeline Express Hospital Eye-Train missions of Peking University People's Hospital were chosen. At the first day after surgery, 3452 ARC eyes with the presenting POVA ≥ 6/60 were enrolled. The relationship between age and POVA was analyzed statistically. Results. In these three missions, there were more female patients than males; the ratio of females to males was 1.71. The average age of females was older than males. Overall, the percentages of patients with good visual outcomes (≥6/18) were significantly decreased with aging. Different regions had variations, but the trends were the same. There was weak linear correlation between age and POVA. The correlations of females were stronger than males in Yuncheng and Sanmenxia and weaker than males in Zhoukou. Conclusion. The good visual outcomes of presenting POVA were significantly decreased with aging and there were weak linear correlations between age and POVA in rural China. The linear correlation might be influenced by the difference of gender and region.

"Planning eye health services in Varamin district, Iran: a cross-sectional study"

BACKGROUND

A recent survey of avoidable blindness in Varamin District, Iran, identified moderately high levels of visual impairment (10%) and blindness (1.5%) in people >50 years. This study aimed to define current provision, identify gaps and suggest practical solutions for improving eye health services in this area.

METHODS

The World Health Organization (WHO) framework for analyzing health systems has several key components: service delivery, health workforce, information system, medical products and technologies, financing, and governance. We used this structure to investigate the strengths and weaknesses of the eye health system in Varamin. All public and private eye care facilities and a random selection of primary health care (PHC) units were assessed using semi-structured researcher-administered questionnaires.

RESULTS

Varamin has 16 ophthalmic clinics, including two secondary hospitals that provide cataract surgery. There were ten ophthalmologists (1:68,000 population), two ophthalmic nurses and five optometrists working in Varamin district. There were no eye care social or community workers, ophthalmic counsellors, low vision rehabilitation staff. Although the Vision 2020 target for ophthalmologists has been met, numbers of other eye care staff were insufficient. The majority of patients travel to Tehran for surgery. The recent survey identified cataract as the leading cause of blindness, despite the availability of surgical services in the district and high health insurance coverage. Poor awareness is a major barrier. No units had a written blindness prevention plan, formal referral pathways or sufficient eye health promotion activities. Only one of the PHC units referred people with diabetes for retinal examination. There is partial integration between eye care services and the general health system particularly for prevention of childhood blindness: chemo-prophylaxis for ophthalmia neonatorum, school vision tests, measles immunization and Vitamin A supplementation.

CONCLUSIONS

This analysis demonstrated the need for better integration between eye care services and the general health system, local planning for prevention of blindness, an information system, a better staff mix and health education to increase community awareness and service uptake. There is the capacity to deliver far more surgery locally. All aspects of a health system need to be developed to deliver comprehensive and efficient eye care.

A Comparative Study of Clear Corneal Phacoemulsification with Rigid IOL Versus SICS; the Preferred Surgical Technique in Low Socio-economic group Patients of Rural Areas

CONTEXT

Low socio-economic group patients from rural areas often opt for free cataract surgeries offered by charitable organisations. SICS continues to be a time tested technique for cataract removal in such patients. In recent times, camp patients are sometimes treated by clear corneal phacoemulsification with implantation of a rigid IOL, which being more cost effective is often provided for camp patients. This study was undertaken to find out which surgical technique yielded better outcomes and was more suited for high volume camp surgery.

AIM

To find the better surgical option- phacoemulsification with rigid IOL or SICS, in poor patients from rural areas.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

A prospective randomised controlled trial of cataract patients operated by two different techniques.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and twelve eyes were selected and were randomly allocated into two groups of 56 eyes each. At completion of the study, data was analysed for 52 eyes operated by clear corneal phacoemulsification and implantation of a rigid IOL, and 56 eyes operated by SICS.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

Unpaired t-test was used to calculate the p- value.

RESULTS

The results were evaluated on the following criteria. The mean post-operative astigmatism at the end of four weeks - was significantly higher in phacoemulsification group as compared to SICS group The BCVA (best corrected visual acuity) at the end of four weeks - was comparable in both groups. Subjective complaints and/ or complications: In phaco group two patients required sutures and seven had striate keratitis , while none in SICS group. Complaint of irritation was similar in both groups. Surgical time- was less for SICS group as compared to phaco group.

CONCLUSION

SICS by virtue of being a faster surgery with more secure wound and significantly less astigmatism is a better option in camp patients from rural areas as compared to phacoemulsification with rigid IOL.

Visual outcomes of cataract surgery performed by supervised novice surgeons during training in rural China

BACKGROUND

To assess the outcomes of cataract surgery performed by novice surgeons during training in a rural programme. DESIGN : Retrospective study.

PARTICIPANTS

Three hundred thirty-four patients operated by two trainees under supervision at rural Chinese county hospitals.

METHODS

Two trainees performed surgeries under supervision. Visual acuity, refraction and examinations were carried out 3 months postoperatively.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Postoperative uncorrected visual acuity, pinhole visual acuity, causes of visual impairment (postoperative uncorrected visual acuity < 6/18) RESULTS: Among 518 operated patients, 426 (82.2%) could be contacted and 334 (64.4% of operated patients) completed the examinations. The mean age was 74.1 ± 8.8 years and 62.9% were women. Postoperative uncorrected visual acuity was available in 372 eyes. Among them, uncorrected visual acuity was ≥6/18 in 278 eyes (74.7%) and <6/60 in 60 eyes (16.1%), and 323 eyes (86.8%) had pinhole visual acuity ≥ 6/18 and 38 eyes (10.2%) had pinhole visual acuity < 6/60. Main causes of visual impairment were uncorrected refractive error (63.9%) and comorbid eye disease (24.5%). Comorbid eye diseases associated with pinhole visual acuity < 6/60 (n = 23, 6.2%) included glaucoma, other optic nerve atrophy, vitreous haemorrhage and retinal detachment.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that hands-on training remains safe and effective even when not implemented in centralized training centres. Further refinement of the training protocol, providing postoperative refractive services and more accurate preoperative intraocular lens calculations, can help optimize outcomes.

Profile of cataract surgery in Varamin Iran: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

Cataract is the most popular cause of blindness. This study addresses some aspects of cataract surgery in an Iranian population.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

PARTICIPANTS

3000 adults over 50 in Varamin district.

METHODS

Cataract surgical coverage was defined as the proportion of (pseudo) aphakic eyes of all operable and operated eyes with cataract. If there was obvious lens opacity in either or both eyes in combination with best corrected visual acuity less than 6/18, the person was asked why the operation for cataract was not done to find out about barriers of cataract surgery. Outcomes of cataract surgery were categorized as good, intermediate and poor using presenting visual acuity which were defined as visual acuity ≥ 6/18, 6/60 ≤ visual acuity < 6/18 and visual acuity < 6/60, respectively.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Cataract surgical coverage, barriers and outcomes of cataract surgery.

RESULTS

Out of 5638 examined eyes, 526 eyes (9.3%) had history of cataract surgery. 156 subjects (45.7%) had a unilateral and 185 subjects (54.2%) had bilateral operated eyes. Cataract surgical coverage was 66.4% in visually impaired eyes (visual acuity < 6/18), 90.4% in blind eyes (visual acuity < 3/60), 80.5% in visually impaired persons and 97.6% in blind persons. Cataract surgery in the majority of eyes (71.9%) had a good visual outcome. The main barrier of cataract surgery was unawareness of treatment.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the cataract services in the studied population were acceptable, although it should be improved, to achieve vision 2020 objectives.

Lens-Induced Glaucoma: The Need to Spread Awareness about Early Management of Cataract among Rural Population

Purpose. To determine the clinical profile of lens-induced glaucoma (LIG), reasons for late presentation, and outcome of current management. Methods. Retrospective analysis of 50 eyes with LIG over a 6-year period between 2005 and 2011 at a tertiary care centre in rural India. Visual acuity and intraocular pressure (IOP) were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively along with postoperative complications. Results. Fifty (2.4%) of 12,004 senile cataracts operated at Pravara Rural Hospital, Loni, presented with LIG. There were 39 (78%) phacomorphic cases and 11 (22%) phacolytic glaucoma. Following cataract surgery, 21 of 50 operated eyes (42%) had visual acuity 6/60 or worse. Conclusion. The results highlight the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of visually disabling cataract. There is a need to educate both the patient and the cataract surgeon about the dangers of lens-induced glaucoma and of about poor outcome if treatment is delayed.

Assessment of cataract surgical outcomes in settings where follow-up is poor: PRECOG, a multicentre observational study

BACKGROUND

Poor follow-up after cataract surgery in developing countries makes assessment of operative quality uncertain. We aimed to assess two strategies to measure visual outcome: recording the visual acuity of all patients 3 or fewer days postoperatively (early postoperative assessment), and recording that of only those patients who returned for the final follow-up examination after 40 or more days without additional prompting.

METHODS

Each of 40 centres in ten countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America recruited 40-120 consecutive surgical cataract patients. Operative-eye best-corrected visual acuity and uncorrected visual acuity were recorded before surgery, 3 or fewer days postoperatively, and 40 or more days postoperatively. Clinics logged whether each patient had returned for the final follow-up examination without additional prompting, had to be actively encouraged to return, or had to be examined at home. Visual outcome for each centre was defined as the proportion of patients with uncorrected visual acuity of 6/18 or better minus the proportion with uncorrected visual acuity of 6/60 or worse, and was calculated for each participating hospital with results from the early assessment of all patients and the late assessment of only those returning unprompted, with results from the final follow-up assessment for all patients used as the standard.

FINDINGS

Of 3708 participants, 3441 (93%) had final follow-up vision data recorded 40 or more days after surgery, 1831 of whom (51% of the 3581 total participants for whom mode of follow-up was recorded) had returned to the clinic without additional prompting. Visual outcome by hospital from early postoperative and final follow-up assessment for all patients were highly correlated (Spearman's rs=0·74, p<0·0001). Visual outcome from final follow-up assessment for all patients and for only those who returned without additional prompting were also highly correlated (rs=0·86, p<0·0001), even for the 17 hospitals with unprompted return rates of less than 50% (rs=0·71, p=0·002). When we divided hospitals into top 25%, middle 50%, and bottom 25% by visual outcome, classification based on final follow-up assessment for all patients was the same as that based on early postoperative assessment for 27 (68%) of 40 centres, and the same as that based on data from patients who returned without additional prompting in 31 (84%) of 37 centres. Use of glasses to optimise vision at the time of the early and late examinations did not further improve the correlations.

INTERPRETATION

Early vision assessment for all patients and follow-up assessment only for patients who return to the clinic without prompting are valid measures of operative quality in settings where follow-up is poor.

FUNDING

ORBIS International, Fred Hollows Foundation, Helen Keller International, International Association for the Prevention of Blindness Latin American Office, Aravind Eye Care System.

Changing trends in the prevalence of blindness and visual impairment in a rural district of India: systematic observations over a decade

Context:

Globally, limited data are available on changing trends of blindness from a single region.

Aims:

To report the changing trends in the prevalence of blindness, visual impairment (VI), and visual outcomes of cataract surgery in a rural district of Andhra Pradesh, India, over period of one decade.

Settings and Design:

Rural setting; cross-sectional study.

Materials and Methods:

Using a validated Rapid Assessment of Cataract Surgical Services (RACSS) method, population-based, cross-sectional survey was done in a rural district in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. Two-stage sampling procedure was used to select participants ≥50 years of age. Further, a comparative analysis was done with participants ≥50 years from the previously concluded Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study (APEDS) study, who belonged to the same district.

Statistical Analysis:

Done using 11^th version of Stata.

Results:

Using RACSS, 2160/2300 (93.9%) participants were examined as compared with the APEDS dataset (n=521). Age and sex adjusted prevalence of blindness in RACSS and APEDS was 8% (95% CI, 6.9–9.1%) and 11% (95% CI, 8.3–13.7%), while that of VI was 13.6% (95% CI, 12.2–15.1%) and 40.3% (95% CI, 36.1–44.5%), respectively. Cataract was the major cause of blindness in both the studies. There was a significant reduction in blindness following cataract surgery as observed through RACSS (17.3%; 95% CI, 13.5–21.8%) compared with APEDS (34%; 95% CI, 20.9–49.3%).

Conclusion:

There was a significant reduction in prevalence of blindness and VI in this rural district of India over a decade.

Comparison of hospital versus rural eye cAMP based pediatric cataract surgery

Purpose:

To compare the outcomes of pediatric cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in an eye camp setting and tertiary care center.

Materials and Methods:

Children aged 5-16 years with visually significant cataract underwent phacoaspiration with IOL implantation in an eye camp (eye camp group) or tertiary care center (TCC group). All surgeries incorporated contemporary microsurgical techniques with implantation of polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) IOL. Major postoperative complications were managed at a tertiary care center. Postoperative complications, visual acuity and compliance were evaluated using the Chi-square test. A P value less then 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results:

The cohort comprised 59 children in the eye camp group and 48 children in the TCC group. Thirty two of fifty nine (54.23%) eyes in the eye camp group and 30/48 (62.5%) eyes in the TCC group achieved 20/40 or better best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) postoperatively. Postoperatively, 36 (61%) eyes in the eye camp group and 22 (45.83%) eyes in the TCC group required Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy or a pars plana membranectomy. (P> 0.05) The most striking feature was loss to follow up. In the eye camp group, loss to follow was 20% at one year, 49% at two years, 62% at 3 years and 67% at 4 years compared to 12.5, 21, 27 and 33% respectively in the TCC group (P<0.05, all cases).

Conclusions:

The outcomes of camp and tertiary care center (hospital) based pediatric cataract surgery were similar. However, the major drawback of camp based surgery was loss to follow up which eventually affected the management of amblyopia and postoperative complications.

Population based outcomes of cataract surgery in three tribal areas of Andhra Pradesh, India: risk factors for poor outcomes

Purpose

To report visual outcomes and risk factors for poor outcomes of cataract surgery in three Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) areas of Andhra Pradesh, India.

Methods and Results

Using validated Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) methodology, a population based cross-sectional study, was conducted in three ITDA areas. A two-stage sampling procedure was used to select 7281 participants aged 50 years and above. Vision assessment using a tumbling E chart and standard ocular examinations were completed. Visual outcomes and risk factors for poor outcomes were assessed among subjects undergoing cataract surgery (1548 eyes of 1124 subjects). Mean age at surgery was 67±8 years; Among the operated eyes, presenting visual acuity (PVA) and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) worse than 6/18 was seen in 492 (31.8%; 95% CI, 29.5–34.2%) and 298 eyes (19.3%; 95% CI, 17.3–21.3%), respectively. Similarly, PVA and BCVA worse than 6/60 was seen in 219 (14.1%; 95% CI, 12.4–16%) and 147 eyes (9.5%; 95% CI, 8.1–11.1%), respectively. When either eye was taken into consideration, the PVA and BCVA worse than 6/18 was seen in 323 (20.1%; 95% CI, 18.9–23%) and 144 subjects (9.3%; 95% CI, 7.9–10.9%), respectively. PVA and BCVA worse than 6/60 was seen in 74 (4.8%; 95% CI, 3.8–6%) and 49 subjects (3.2%; 95% CI, 2.4–4.2%), respectively. Posterior capsular opacification was seen in 51 of 1316 pseudophakic eyes (3.9%; 95% CI, 2.9–5.1%). In multivariable analysis among pseudophakic subjects with PVA worse than 6/18, increasing age (p = 0.002) and undergoing free surgery (p = 0.05) were independent risk factors. Undergoing surgery before 2005 (p = 0.05) and being illiterate (p = 0.05) were independent risk factors for BCVA worse than 6/18.

Conclusions

There are changing trends with improved outcomes in cataract surgery among these tribal populations of India. However, post-operative refractive error correction remains an issue, especially for those undergoing free surgeries.

Cytoskeletal drugs prevent posterior capsular opacification in human lens capsule in vitro

BACKGROUND

To determine whether the cytoskeletal drugs H-7 and Latrunculin B (LAT-B) inhibit posterior capsular opacification (PCO) in the cultured human lens capsular bag.

METHODS

Following extracapsular cataract (lens) extraction in human donor eyes, the capsular bag was prepared and cultured by standard techniques. Forty-eight capsular bags were studied, of which 13 were treated with H-7 (50, 100 or 300 μM), 12 with 1% BSS (vehicle of H-7), 11 with LAT-B (2, 5 or 10 μM), and 12 with 0.25% DMSO (vehicle of LAT-B). Forty out of the 48 capsular bags were from paired eyes of 20 donors, with one bag being treated with H-7/LAT-B and the other with BSS/DMSO for each pair, including 20 for the H-7-BSS protocol and 20 for the LAT-B-DMSO protocol. The medium with the cytoskeletal drug/vehicle was replaced every 3-4 days for 4 weeks. PCO was assessed daily using inverted phase-contrast microscopy, and scored on a 4-point scale.

RESULTS

In all cultures with BSS or DMSO, residual lens epithelial cells (LECs) on the anterior capsule migrated to and proliferated on the posterior capsule by 3-7 days, and apparent LEC growth on the posterior capsule with severe capsular wrinkling (PCO Grade 3) was seen by 2-3 weeks. When treated continuously with H-7 or LAT-B, the migration and proliferation of LECs and the capsular wrinkling were inhibited in a dose-dependent manner, with the inhibition being complete (PCO Grade 0) in the 300 μM H-7 (n = 8, p < 0.001) or 10 μM LAT-B culture (n = 3, p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

H-7 and LAT-B dose-dependently inhibited PCO formation in the cultured human lens capsular bags, suggesting that cytoskeletal drugs might prevent PCO formation after surgery in the human eye.

Outcomes of cataract surgery: a population-based developing world study in the Bhaktapur district, Nepal

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the visual outcome after cataract surgery in a population of Nepal.

DESIGN

Population-based cross-sectional study.

PARTICIPANTS

Forty years and above residing in Bhaktapur district.

METHODS

Subjects were selected from 30 clusters using cluster sampling procedure. All underwent a detailed examination at the base hospital, including logarithm of minimal angle of resolution visual acuity, refraction, applanation tonometry, cataract grading, retinal examination and perimetry when indicated.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Visual acuity after cataract surgery.

RESULTS

Out of 4003 subjects examined, 151 had undergone cataract surgery. Pseudophakia was present in 142 (94.0%), aphakia in nine (6%). Presenting and best-corrected visual acuity ≥6/18 was achieved in 123 (54.4%) and 164 (72.4%) eyes, respectively. Among the pseudophakic eyes, at presentation 122 (57.5%), 72 (33.9%), 18 (8.5%) and after best correction 162 (76.2%), 33 (15.8%), 17 (8.0%) had visual acuity of ≥6/18, <6/18-≥6/60 and <6/60, respectively. Retinal disease (35.5%), surgical complications (27.4%) and posterior capsular opacification (14.5%) were the principle causes of visual impairment after best correction in all eyes. There was no significant association in visual outcome based on age, sex, literacy and the duration of surgery.

CONCLUSION

Correction of refractive errors, preoperative screening of coincidental diseases, reduction in surgical complication rates and monitoring of postoperative follow-up care has to be addressed seriously in order to improve the outcome of cataract surgery to meet standards proposed by the World Health Organization. In the future, longitudinal studies need to be undertaken to provide specific information on the outcomes of cataract surgery in this community.

Outcomes of cataract surgery in urban southern China: the Liwan Eye Study

PURPOSE

The outcomes of cataract surgery have been well reported in rural China; however, the situation in the urban population remains unclear. This study assessed the outcomes of cataract surgery in urban southern China.

METHODS

Data were gathered from the Liwan Eye Study, a population-based, cross-sectional study conducted in people aged 50 years or more in the Liwan District of Guangzhou. Presenting and best corrected visual acuity and a detailed eye examination were performed. For all aphakic and pseudophakic participants identified, information on the date, setting, type, and complications of cataract surgery were recorded.

RESULTS

Of the 1405 participants, 62 people (90 eyes) had undergone cataract surgery. Of those, 54.4% underwent the phacoemulsification (Phaco) technique, 33.3% extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, and 11.1% ECCE without IOL; 1 patient had intracapsular cataract extraction (ICCE). Presenting visual acuity (PVA) was >6/18 in 56 (62.2%) eyes, <6/18 to >6/60 in 20 (22.2%) eyes, <6/60 to >3/60 in 3 (3.3%) eyes, and <3/60 in 11(12.3%) eyes. Of the 34 eyes with PVA less than 6/18, the principal causes were 26.5% retinal abnormalities, 20.6% glaucoma, 35.3% uncorrected aphakia or refractive error, and 14.5% posterior capsule opacification (PCO).

CONCLUSIONS

ECCE or Phaco with IOL are the major surgical techniques used in urban southern China. More than half of the eyes with poor outcomes due to uncorrected aphakia, refractive error, or PCO are potentially treatable. This result suggests a pressing need for improved surgical training and postoperative care.

Prevalence and outcomes of cataract surgery in rural China the China nine-province survey

PURPOSE

To investigate the prevalence and visual acuity (VA) outcomes of cataract surgery in rural populations throughout China.

DESIGN

Population-based, cross-sectional study.

PARTICIPANTS

Forty-five thousand seven hundred forty-seven adults 50 years of age and older.

METHODS

Geographically defined cluster sampling was used in randomly selecting a cross-section of residents from a representative rural county within each of 9 provinces in mainland China. Participants underwent VA measurements, refraction, and a slit-lamp examination at local examination sites; those with previous cataract surgery were queried as to the year and type of surgical facility. Surgical procedure and evidence of surgery complications were noted during the examination. The principal cause of visual impairment was identified for eyes with VA of 20/40 or worse.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Cataract surgery procedure, presenting and best-corrected distance VA, and causes of visual impairment.

RESULTS

Of 50 395 enumerated eligible persons, 45 747 (90.8%) were examined and tested for VA. The overall prevalence of cataract surgery was 2.09%. Surgical coverage among those with VA worse than 20/200 in both eyes because of cataract was 35.7%. Unoperated cataract was associated with older age, female gender, lack of education, and geographic area (province). Among the 1174 cataract-operated eyes, 31.1% had presenting VA of 20/32 or better, 15.4% had presenting VA of 20/40 to 20/63, 30.0% had presenting VA worse than 20/63 to 20/200, and 23.5% had presenting VA worse than 20/200. With best correction, the percentages were 57.6%, 6.2%, 18.5%, and 17.7%, respectively. Posterior capsule opacification, refractive error, and retinal disorders were the main causes in cataract-operated eyes with VA worse than 20/63.

CONCLUSIONS

Two thirds of those with bilateral visual impairment or blindness because of cataract remain in need of sight-restoring surgery. Posterior capsule opacification and refractive error, both readily amenable to treatment, were common in cataract-operated eyes. Sustained government efforts to provide access to affordable modern cataract surgery with a greater emphasis on postoperative follow-up and the quality of VA outcomes are needed.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S)

The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Outcomes of cataract surgery in a rural and urban south Indian population

Purpose:

To assess the visual outcome after cataract surgery in a south Indian population.

Materials and Methods:

Population-based cross-sectional study of subjects aged 40 years or more. Three thousand nine hundred and twenty-four rural subjects from 27 contiguous villages and 3850 urban subjects from five randomly selected divisions were studied. All subjects underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination that included visual acuity, refraction, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, applanation tonometry, gonioscopy, and dilated retinal examination.

Statistical Analysis:

Chi square test, t test and multivariate analysis were used.

Results:

Five hundred and twenty-eight (216 males, 312 females, 781 eyes) rural subjects (13.5%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 12.4% to 14.6%) and 406 (197 males, 209 females, 604 eyes) urban subjects (10.5%, 95% CI 9.6-11.5%) had undergone cataract surgery. Outcome of cataract surgery was defined based on visual acuity. Using best-corrected visual acuity for classification, the single most important cause for visual impairment was cystoid macular edema in the aphakic group and posterior capsule opacification in the pseudophakic group. Aphakia (visual acuity of <20/60 to ≤20/400 - odds ratio (OR) 1.8; 95% CI 1.3 to 2.6%, visual acuity of <20/400 - OR 6.2; 95% 4.0 to 9.8%), rural residence (visual acuity of <20/60 to ≤20/400 - OR 3.2; 95% CI 2.2 to 4.5% and visual acuity of <20/400 - OR OR 3.5; 95% CI 2.3 to 5.5%) were associated with visual impairment. The urban cataract-operated population had significantly more pseudophakics (P < 0.001), men (P = 0.02) and literates (P < 0.001). In the rural group the prevalence of cataract surgery (13.5% vs. 10.5%, P < 0.001) and number of people that had undergone cataract surgery within three years prior to examination (P < 0.001) were significantly greater. In 30% of rural and 16% of urban subjects uncorrected refraction was the cause of visual impairment.

Conclusions:

Surgery-related complications were major causes for visual acuity of <20/60.

The prevalence of blindness and cataract surgery in rautahat district, Nepal

PURPOSE

The Gaur Eye Hospital, which provides eye care services to the people in Rautahat and adjacent districts, completed 9 years of operation in 2006. Over 14,000 cataract surgeries were performed during this period. This study aimed to ascertain the impact of the hospital services by estimating the prevalence of blindness, visual impairment and cataract surgical coverage among the older adult population of the Rautahat district.

METHODS

People aged 50 years and older were enrolled in this study that used a stratified cluster design. Subjects in 32 randomly selected clusters were identified through door-to-door visits, presenting and corrected visual acuities measurement, and clinical examination by ophthalmologists were conducted at a centrally located site.

RESULTS

Of the 5,533 identified subjects, 85.3% were examined. Blindness was defined as presenting with visual acuity < 6/60 in both eyes. Blindness was found in 17.4% (95% Confidence Interval: 15.1 to 19.7); however, 55.6% of individuals examined had vision < 6/18 in one or both eyes. Cataracts were the principal cause of blindness in 82.1%, and were associated with elder age, illiteracy and female gender. Surgical coverage was found to be 37.3%.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that despite 9 years of hospital and community eye care services the prevalence of blindness in this area is still challengingly high and the cataract surgical coverage unacceptably low. Community outreach awareness programs and accessibility for the Nepali cataract blind to the hospital need to be upgraded.

Prevalence and vision-related outcomes of cataract surgery in Gujarat, India

PURPOSE

Investigate the prevalence and vision-related outcomes of cataract surgery in an area of high cataract surgical rate.

METHODS

Cluster sampling was used in randomly selecting individuals > or = 50 years of age in 2007. Participants were queried regarding year and place of previous cataract surgery. Cataract surgical procedures and evidence of surgical complications were recorded. The principal cause was identified for eyes presenting with visual acuity (VA) < or = 20/40.

RESULTS

A total of 4,738 persons were examined and 834 (17.6%) had cataract surgery. Intra-ocular lenses (IOLs) were used in 84.1% of the 1,299 cataract-operated eyes, with more than half of these having manual small incision surgery. Surgical coverage among the cataract blind (visual acuity [VA] < 20/200) was estimated as 72.2%. Coverage was associated with older age, literacy, and urban residence; gender was not significant. Among cataract-operated eyes, 18.7% presented with VA > or = 20/32 and 18.0% were < 20/200. With best-corrected acuity, the corresponding percentages were 55.7% and 11.0%. Presenting and best-corrected VA > or = 20/63 were associated with young age, literacy, and IOL surgery; urban residence and surgery in non-governmental organizations (NGO)/private facilities were also significant for presenting VA; and recent surgery was significant for best-corrected VA. Refractive error was the main cause of vision impairment/blindness in cataract-operated eyes.

CONCLUSIONS

Refractive error and posterior capsule opacification, easily treatable causes of visual impairment, are common among the operated. A greater emphasis on the quality of visual acuity outcomes along with sustained efforts to provide access to affordable surgery is needed.

Current status of cataract blindness and Vision 2020: the right to sight initiative in India

Background:

India is a signatory to the World Health Organization resolution on Vision 2020: The right to sight. Efforts of all stakeholders have resulted in increased number of cataract surgeries performed in India, but the impact of these efforts on the elimination of avoidable blindness is unknown.

Aims:

Projection of performance of cataract surgery over the next 15 years to determine whether India is likely to eliminate cataract blindness by 2020.

Materials and Methods:

Data from three national level blindness surveys in India over three decades, and projected age-specific population till 2020 from US Census Bureau were used to develop a model to predict the magnitude of cataract blindness and impact of Vision 2020: the right to sight initiatives.

Results:

Using age-specific data for those aged 50+ years it was observed that prevalence of blindness at different age cohorts (above 50 years) reduced over three decades with a peak in 1989. Projections show that among those aged 50+ years, the quantum of cataract surgery would double (3.38 million in 2001 to 7.63 million in 2020) and cataract surgical rate would increase from 24025/million 50+ in 2001 to 27817/million 50+ in 2020. Though the prevalence of cataract blindness would decrease, the absolute number of cataract blind would increase from 7.75 million in 2001 to 8.25 million in 2020 due to a substantial increase in the population above 50 years in India over this period.

Conclusions:

Considering existing prevalence and projected incidence of cataract blindness over the period 2001-2020, visual outcomes after cataract surgery and sight restoration rate, elimination of cataract blindness may not be achieved by 2020 in India.

Blindness and poverty in India: the way forward

A few recent studies have shown that poverty is an exacerbating and often determining factor in the incidence of disabling conditions, including visual impairment. Recent estimates from the World Health Organization indicate that 90 per cent of all those affected by visual impairment live in the poorest countries of the world. India is home to one-fifth of the world's visually impaired people and therefore, any strategies to combat avoidable blindness must take into account the socio-economic conditions within which people live. This paper looks at the relationship between poverty and blindness in India and suggests strategies to address blindness prevention in a comprehensive manner.

Visual acuity outcomes after cataract extraction in adult latinos. The Los Angeles Latino Eye Study

PURPOSE

To determine prevalence, primary causes, and risk indicators of visual impairment in cataract-operated eyes.

DESIGN

Population-based cross-sectional study of adult Latinos.

PARTICIPANTS

Two hundred sixty-one participants with cataract extraction.

METHODS

Participants underwent an in-home interview and a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination. Visual impairment in the cataract-operated eye was defined by presenting visual acuity (PVA) of 20/40 or less or best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/40 or less. The association of cataract extraction status (aphakic, pseudophakic) and severity of visual impairment was evaluated. Risk indicators associated with visual impairment by BCVA in the worse-seeing cataract-operated eye were evaluated.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Visual acuity, causes of visual impairment, and risk indicators associated with visual impairment.

RESULTS

Of the 261 participants with at least one cataract extraction and a complete clinical examination, 100 (38%) participants had undergone a unilateral extraction and 161 (62%) had undergone bilateral extractions. The prevalence of visual impairment was 41% (n = 107) defined by BCVA and 60.5% (n = 158) defined by PVA in the worse-seeing cataract-operated eye, and 32.2% (n = 136) defined by BCVA versus 48.1% (n = 203) defined by PVA in all cataract-operated eyes. Uncorrected refractive error, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy were the primary causes of visual impairment, accounting for 49% in worse-seeing cataract-operated eyes and 57% in all cataract-operated eyes. Self-reported history of glaucoma, barriers to eye care, and unmarried participants were independent risk indicators associated with visual impairment (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite cataract surgery, a significant proportion of participants had residual visual impairment. Refractive correction eliminated visual impairment in 15% to 20% of the participants, demonstrating the need for regular ophthalmologic examinations in cataract-operated patients.

Cataracts in India: current situation, access, and barriers to services over time

BACKGROUND

Blindness, especially related to cataracts, poses a major challenge all over the developing world. India, as one of the biggest developing countries, has a large number of blind requiring sight-restoring cataract surgery. Despite the increase in service availability and heightened outreach screening efforts, blindness has not decreased and uptake of offered cataract surgery services is suboptimal.

METHODS

Barriers to access cataract surgery services in India have been investigated in several studies, which were reviewed after having been identified through a Medline and Pubmed search and summarized by using a model of health care utilization.

RESULTS

Numerous barriers, such as financial reasons, distance, fear, lack of service awareness, lack of support, or other obligations, could be identified but have not been put into the wider context of health care utilization behavior. Financial barriers continue to be a major reason not to take up offered cataract surgery services.

DISCUSSION

More in-depth research of underlying factors is needed to increase self-motivated uptake of offered cataract surgery services. This would free resources currently invested into patient recruitment such as outreach screening. Freed resources could then be invested into treatment and further interventions such as health literacy promotion.

Outcomes of cataract surgery in Pakistan: results from The Pakistan National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey

AIM

To evaluate the outcomes of cataract surgery in Pakistan.

METHODS

Cross-sectional, nationally representative sample of 16 507 adults (aged >or=30 years). Each underwent interview, logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity (VA), autorefraction, examination of optic disc. Those with <6/12 VA on presentation underwent best-corrected VA and dilated biomicroscopic ocular examination.

RESULTS

1317 subjects (633 men) had undergone surgery in one or both eyes. Of the 1788 operated eyes, 1099 (61%) had undergone intracapsular cataract extraction (ICCE) and 607 (34%) extracapsular surgery with an intraocular lens (ECCE+IOL). Presenting VA: 275 (15.4%) eyes: 6/12 or better; 253 (14.1) <6/12 >or=6/18; 632 (35.3%) 6/18 to 6/60; 85 (4.8%): 6/60 to 3/60; 528 (29.5%): <3/60. With "best" refractive correction, these values were: 563 (31.5%), 332 (18.6%), 492 (27.5%), 61 (3.4%), 334 (18.7%), respectively. Of the 1498 eyes with VA <or=6/12 on presentation, 352 (23.5%) were the result of coincident disease, 800 (53.4%) refractive error and 320 (21.4%) operative complications. Eye camp surgery (OR 1.72, p = 0.002), ICCE (OR 3.78; p<0.001), rural residence (OR 1.36, p = 0.01), female gender (OR 1.55, p<0.001) and illiteracy (OR 2.44, p<0.001) were associated with VA of <6/18. More recent ICCE surgeries were associated with a poorer outcome. The ratio of ECCE+IOL:ICCE in the last 3 years was 1.2:1, compared with 1:3.3 >or=4 years before the survey.

CONCLUSION

Almost a third of cataract operations result in a presenting VA of <6/60, which could be halved by appropriate refractive correction. This study highlights the need for an improvement in quality of surgery with a more balanced distribution of services.

Present status of eye care in India

India, the second most populous country in the world, is home to 23.5% of the world's blind population. In 1976 India became the first country in the world to start a national program for control of blindness. All surveys in the country have shown that cataract is the most common cause of blindness and all prevention of blindness programs have been "cataract-oriented." However, it has recently been recognized that the visual outcome of the cataract surgeries as well as the training of ophthalmologists has been less than ideal. There is now increasing emphasis on high-quality surgery and up-gradation of skills among ophthalmologists. Other important causes of blindness are refractive errors, childhood blindness, corneal blindness, and glaucoma. The definitions, magnitude, and present status of each of these causes of blindness, as well as efforts at control, are discussed.

Causes of low vision and blindness in rural Indonesia

AIM

To determine the prevalence rates and major contributing causes of low vision and blindness in adults in a rural setting in Indonesia

METHODS

A population based prevalence survey of adults 21 years or older (n=989) was conducted in five rural villages and one provincial town in Sumatra, Indonesia. One stage household cluster sampling procedure was employed where 100 households were randomly selected from each village or town. Bilateral low vision was defined as habitual VA (measured using tumbling "E" logMAR charts) in the better eye worse than 6/18 and 3/60 or better, based on the WHO criteria. Bilateral blindness was defined as habitual VA worse than 3/60 in the better eye. The anterior segment and lens of subjects with low vision or blindness (both unilateral and bilateral) (n=66) were examined using a portable slit lamp and fundus examination was performed using indirect ophthalmoscopy.

RESULTS

The overall age adjusted (adjusted to the 1990 Indonesia census population) prevalence rate of bilateral low vision was 5.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 4.2 to 7.4) and bilateral blindness was 2.2% (95% CI 1.1 to 3.2). The rates of low vision and blindness increased with age. The major contributing causes for bilateral low vision were cataract (61.3%), uncorrected refractive error (12.9%), and amblyopia (12.9%), and the major cause of bilateral blindness was cataract (62.5%). The major causes of unilateral low vision were cataract (48.0%) and uncorrected refractive error (12.0%), and major causes of unilateral blindness were amblyopia (50.0%) and trauma (50.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

The rates of habitual low vision and blindness in provincial Sumatra, Indonesia, are similar to other developing rural countries in Asia. Blindness is largely preventable, as the major contributing causes (cataract and uncorrected refractive error) are amenable to treatment.

Blindness and vision impairment in a rural south Indian population: the Aravind Comprehensive Eye Survey

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of blindness and vision impairment in a rural population of southern India.

DESIGN

A population-based cross-sectional study.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 17200 subjects aged 6 years or older, including 5150 subjects aged 40 years or older from 50 clusters representative of three southern districts of Tamil Nadu in southern India.

METHODS

All participants had preliminary screenings consisting of vision using a LogMAR illiterate E chart and anterior segment hand light examinations at the village level. Subjects aged 40 years or older were offered comprehensive eye examinations at the base hospital, including visual acuity using LogMAR illiterate E charts and refraction, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, gonioscopy, applanation tonometry, dilated fundus examinations, and automated Humphrey central 24-2 full threshold perimetry; subjects younger than 40 years of age who had any signs or symptoms of ocular disease were also offered comparable examinations at the base hospital.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Visual impairment was defined as best-corrected visual acuity <6/18, and blindness was defined using both Indian (<6/60) and World Health Organization (<3/60) definitions.

RESULTS

Comprehensive examinations at the base hospital were performed on 5150 (96.5%) of 5337 persons 40 years of age or older. Among those 40 years of age and older, presenting visual acuity at the <3/60 level was present in 4.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.8, 4.9) and 11.4% (95% CI: 10.6, 12.3) at the <6/60 level. After best correction, the corresponding figures were 1.0% (95% CI: 0.79, 1.2) and 2.1% (95% CI: 1.7, 2.5). Over 70% of subjects improved their vision by at least one line, and nearly a third by three lines after refraction. Age-related cataract was the most common potentially reversible blinding disorder (72.0%) among eyes presenting with blindness.

CONCLUSIONS

Blindness and vision impairment remain major public health problems in India that need to be addressed. Cataracts and refractive errors remain the major reversible causes for the burden of vision impairment in this rural population.

Outcomes of cataract surgery in Bangladesh: results from a population based nationwide survey

AIM

To evaluate the outcome of cataract surgery in the population of Bangladesh.

METHODS

Data were collected by the National Blindness and Low Vision Prevalence Survey of Bangladesh, a cross sectional, nationally representative sample (12 782 subjects) of the population aged >or=30 years. An interview recorded socioeconomic data. Each subject was tested for logMAR visual acuity (VA) of each eye, autorefracted, and then underwent optic disc examination. Those with <6/12 VA on presentation in either eye were retested with their refractive correction, dilated, and examined for anterior and posterior segment disease. In aphakic and pseudophakic subjects the date, location and operating conditions (eye camp/hospital), and type of operation(s) were recorded.

RESULTS

11 624 eligible subjects were examined (90.9% response rate) in the survey. 162 subjects, 77 men and 85 women, had undergone cataract surgery in one or both eyes. 199 (88%) eyes had undergone intracapsular cataract extraction (ICCE), and 22 (10%) extracapsular surgery with intraocular lens (ECCE+IOL); surgical technique(s) in four cases were not identified. Presenting VA for the 226 operated eyes were: 68 eyes (30.1%) were 6/12 or better, 31 (13.7%) <6/12 >or=6/18, 63 (27.9%) 6/18 to 6/60, 8 (3.5%) <6/60 >or=3/60, and 56 (24.8%) <3/60. With "best" refractive correction these values were 114 (50.4%), 31 (13.7%), 51 (22.6%), 5 (2.2%), and 25 (11.1%), respectively. Of the 158 eyes with VA of 6/12 or worse on presentation, 44 (28%) were the result of coincident disease (principally age related macular degeneration), 95 (60%) refractive error (44 of these had uncorrected aphakia), and 19 (12%) operative complications. ICCE was more likely to result in a VA of <6/18 (OR: 4.26, p = 0.01) than ECCE+IOL. Likewise, eye camp surgery was more likely to result in a VA of <6/60 (OR: 1.98, p = 0.04). No significant association was found between time since surgery and VA outcome, nor was there a sex difference for postoperative vision. Literate subjects were significantly less likely to have an outcome of <6/18 (OR: 2.38, p <0.01) or <6/60 (OR: 2.87, p <0.01). Following ICCE (199 eyes), 56 (37%) of the 151 eyes with an aphakic spectacle correction achieved 6/12 or better. Females, eye camp surgeries, illiterate subjects, and rural dwellers were less likely to wear their aphakic correction. The ratio of ICCE:ECCE+IOL has reduced in the past 3 years (3.8:1) compared to >or=4 years before the survey (25:1). Hospital based ECCE+IOL surgeries were associated with a better outcome, yet 36% of these eyes were <6/12 postoperatively, after excluding coincident disease.

CONCLUSION

This evaluative research study into cataract surgery outcomes in Bangladesh highlights the need for an improvement in quality and increased quantity of surgery with a more balanced distribution of services.

Corneal blindness in a southern Indian population: need for health promotion strategies

AIM

To assess the distribution and causes of corneal blindness in a population in southern India.

METHODS

A total of 11 786 people of all ages from 94 clusters representative of the population of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh were sampled using a stratified, random, cluster, systematic sampling strategy. These participants underwent a detailed interview and eye examination including measurement of visual acuity with logMAR charts, refraction, slit lamp biomicroscopy, applanation tonometry, gonioscopy, and stereoscopic dilated fundus evaluation. An eye was considered to have corneal blindness if the visual acuity was <20/200 due to a corneal disease.

RESULTS

Of those sampled, 10 293 (87.3%) people participated in the study. Corneal blindness in at least one eye was present in 86 participants, an age, sex, and urban-rural distribution adjusted prevalence of 0.66% (95% confidence interval 0.49 to 0.86), which included 0.10% prevalence of corneal blindness in both eyes and 0.56% in one eye. The most frequent causes of corneal blindness in at least one eye included keratitis during childhood (36.7%), trauma (28.6%), and keratitis during adulthood (17.7%). Nearly 95% of all corneal blindness was avoidable. Multivariate analysis showed that the prevalence of corneal blindness was significantly higher with decreasing socioeconomic status and with increasing age. Of the 99 eyes with corneal blindness, 51 (51.5%) had visual acuity of inaccurate projection of light or no perception of light.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a significant burden of corneal blindness in this population, the majority of which is avoidable. Eye health promotion strategies are warranted to raise awareness about the causes and prevention of corneal blindness.

Outcome and number of cataract surgeries in India: policy issues for blindness control

PURPOSE

To assess what impact attention to quality of cataract surgery and postoperative follow up can have on cataract blindness in India, and to estimate the number of surgeries needed to eliminate cataract blindness in India.

METHODS

In a population-based sample of 5268 persons in two rural areas in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, data on the visual outcome of cataract surgery were obtained on 129 eyes of 106 persons operated previously. These were compared with the visual outcome of cataract surgery performed during 1999 in 2394 eyes of 2213 persons at two new rural eye centres set up in these areas that pay particular attention to the quality of eye care. Blindness in an eye was defined as presenting distance visual acuity less than 6/60, and in a person as this acuity level in the better eye. These data were extrapolated to India.

RESULTS

In the population-based sample, of the 129 operated eyes, 51 (39.5%) were blind after surgery, which included 41 (31.8%) from cataract surgery-related causes. Of the 106 persons in the population sample who had had cataract surgery in one or both eyes, 26 (24.5%) were still blind. In contrast, for the cataract surgery at the two rural eye centres paying attention to quality, 3.1% of the eyes and 1.8% of the persons were blind soon after surgery, but these figures could increase 2.6 times over the lifetime of these persons. The 3.5 million cataract surgeries in India in 2000 are estimated to result in 0.32 million persons having blindness averted over their lifetime. To eliminate cataract blindness in India, an estimated 9 million good-quality cataract surgeries are needed every year during 2001-2005, increasing to over 14 million surgeries needed every year during 2016-2020 on persons most likely to go blind from cataract.

CONCLUSIONS

The number of persons in whom blindness is being averted due to cataract surgery in India is currently a very small fraction of the number blind from cataract. If adequate attention is given to the quality of eye care, for the current number of cataract surgeries in India it should be possible to increase by threefold the number in whom blindness can be averted with cataract surgery. In addition to improving quality, the annual number of cataract surgeries has to be at least threefold the current number during 2006-2010 if cataract blindness in India is to be eliminated.

A population based eye survey of older adults in Tirunelveli district of south India: blindness, cataract surgery, and visual outcomes

AIMS

To assess the prevalence of vision impairment, blindness, and cataract surgery and to evaluate visual acuity outcomes after cataract surgery in a south Indian population.

METHODS

Cluster sampling was used to randomly select a cross sectional sample of people > or =50 years of age living in the Tirunelveli district of south India. Eligible subjects in 28 clusters were enumerated through a door to door household survey. Visual acuity measurements and ocular examinations were performed at a selected site within each of the clusters in early 2000. The principal cause of visual impairment was identified for eyes with presenting visual acuity <6/18. Independent replicate testing for quality assurance monitoring was performed in subjects with reduced vision and in a sample of those with normal vision for six of the study clusters.

RESULTS

A total of 5795 people in 3986 households were enumerated and 5411 (93.37%) were examined. The prevalence of presenting and best corrected visual acuity > or =6/18 in both eyes was 59.4% and 75.7%, respectively. Presenting vision <6/60 in both eyes (the definition of blindness in India) was found in 11.0%, and in 4.6% with best correction. Presenting blindness was associated with older age, female sex, and illiteracy. Cataract was the principal cause of blindness in at least one eye in 70.6% of blind people. The prevalence of cataract surgery was 11.8%-with an estimated 56.5% of the cataract blind already operated on. Surgical coverage was inversely associated with illiteracy and with female sex in rural areas. Within the cataract operated sample, 31.7% had presenting visual acuity > or =6/18 in both eyes and 11.8% were <6/60; 40% were bilaterally operated on, with 63% pseudophakic. Presenting vision was <6/60 in 40.7% of aphakic eyes and in 5.1% of pseudophakic eyes; with best correction the percentages were 17.6% and 3.7%, respectively. Refractive error, including uncorrected aphakia, was the main cause of visual impairment in cataract operated eyes. Vision <6/18 was associated with cataract surgery in government, as opposed to that in non-governmental/private facilities. Age, sex, literacy, and area of residence were not predictors of visual outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Treatable blindness, particularly that associated with cataract and refractive error, remains a significant problem among older adults in south Indian populations, especially in females, the illiterate, and those living in rural areas. Further study is needed to better understand why a significant proportion of the cataract blind are not taking advantage of free of charge eye care services offered by the Aravind Eye Hospital and others in the district. While continuing to increase cataract surgical volume to reduce blindness, emphasis must also be placed on improving postoperative visual acuity outcomes.