Changes in prevalence and causes of visual impairment and cataract surgical coverage in Nampula, Mozambique between 2011 and 2018: findings from two cross-sectional surveys

Abstract Background Globally, there are few examples of repeated eye health surveys to assess changes in prevalence and causes of visual impairment, and service coverage over time. Two separate, unlinked rapid assessments of avoidable blindness (RAAB) were conducted in Nampula province, Mozambique in 2011 and 2018. This paper reports the observed changes and examines how the trends differ for males and females. Methods Standard RAAB methodology was used in both studies. Two-stage cluster sampling was used to generate random samples of adults aged over 50 years. Participants underwent a simplified visual acuity exam focusing on presenting and pinhole visual acuity (VA), a lens exam and posterior segment exam using a direct ophthalmoscope for all subjects with presenting VA < 6/18. Data were analysed using Stata and logistic regression models were developed to assess changes. Results The 2011 study enrolled 3,050 people and examined 96.9% (2,954 people). The 2018 survey enrolled 4,191 people and examined 95.8% (4,015 people). Age and sex adjusted estimates of blindness decreased from 6.2% in 2011 to 4.5% in 2018 (z=-2.21, p = 0.028), severe visual impairment remained the same (2.6% in 2011 and 2.7% in 2018, z = 0.1, p = 0.9) and moderate visual impairment increased (5.9% in 2011 to 11.0% in 2018, z = 5.78, p < 0.001). Cataract surgical coverage was higher among males in both surveys (13.4% among males vs 7.7% among females in 2011, and 40.0% among males vs 19.4% among females in 2018) and the gender disparity grew between surveys. Conclusions Significant changes were observed in the eye health and service coverage between 2011 and 2018. An increase in the proportion of good visual acuity among operated eyes between the surveys is of note and may correspond with improvements made to the services provided in the province. Further improvements to services are required to improve access for women and people with moderate visual impairment.

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Barriers of Cataract Surgery in South Timor Tengah, East Nusa Tenggara-Indonesia

The Open Public Health Journal ◽

10.2174/1874944501912010007 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 7-10

Author(s):

Ni Made Ari Suryathi ◽

I Gusti Ayu Made Juliari ◽

Ari Andayani ◽

I Wayan Gede Jayanegara ◽

NLMN Ratnasari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Visual Acuity ◽

Health System ◽

Cataract Surgery ◽

Visual Impairment ◽

Study Design ◽

Vision Loss ◽

Access To Treatment ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Eye Health ◽

The Cost

Background: WHO shows that cataract is a major cause of avoidable blindness. The Purpose of this research is to find data related to blindness and visual impairment caused by senile cataracts. Barriers of cataract surgery in patient with senile cataract is a very favorable factor in this study. Method: Study design using cross-sectional method, data were collected from Ume Manekan Hospital November 2017. Assessment was done by clinical ophthalmologist evaluating the characteristics, type of cataract, visual acuity, and barriers to cataract surgery. Result: Total subjects in this study are 109. Prevalence of mature cataract is 55 (51%). Barriers most cataract surgery in this study is the inability of the community to pay the cost of surgery 54 (49.5%), followed by the lack of access to treatment that is 33 (30%), fearing the results of operations 15 (13.8%) and felt that treatment is not needed 7 (6.4%). The category of most vision loss in the operated eye was found in the blindness group (<3/60), 100 (91.8%) and followed by Severe Visual Impairment category (9/ 60-3 / 60) (8.2%). Conclusion: Eye health system that must be well prepared at the level of regional holder considering the number of blindness due to high enough cataracts in TTS Timor Tengah Selatan district.

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Prevalence and causes of visual impairment and blindness among school children in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan

International Journal of Scientific Reports ◽

10.18203/issn.2454-2156.intjscirep20181393 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

pp. 93

Author(s):

Abdul Rauf Awan ◽

Junaid Jamshed ◽

Muhammad Mushtaq Khan ◽

Zahid Latif

Keyword(s):

Visual Acuity ◽

Public Schools ◽

Visual Impairment ◽

Private Schools ◽

School Children ◽

School Health ◽

Vision Loss ◽

Screening Program ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Cross Sectional

Background: Vision loss in childhood has serious implications in all stages of child’s growth and development. It poses social, educational and occupational challenges, with affected children being at greater risk of developing behavioral, psychological and emotional problems, lower self-esteem and poorer social integration. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and identify the causes of visual impairment and blindness in school children of UC Gojra, Muzaffarabad, Pakistan so that prevention strategies could be implemented.Methods: This was a school-based descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among public and private schools. A multi-stage stratified random sampling technique was used for selecting study participants aged 5-20 years from 24 schools in Muzaffarabad. The vision of school children was examined for visual acuity using standard Snellen chart. Those participants who had visual acuity of <6/18 in either eye underwent a more detailed ophthalmic examination to diagnose the causes of VI. An exploration of demographic variables was conducted using Chi-square test. Results: The mean age of participants was 10±2.83. The prevalence of visual impairment was 19.6% and 2.3% for severe visual impairment. The age group most affected by VI was 11-15 years (74.2%). There were increased chances of developing VI with advancing age of the participants. Males contributed 88.7% of the cases of VI while females contributed only 11.3%. The class category 5-6 had higher percentage of VI cases (32.7%). Public schools contributed 52.8% of the cases of VI while for private schools the corresponding percentage was 47.2%. The leading cause of VI was refractive error (89.3%) followed by amblyopia (5.0%). Other causes of VI included cataract (1.2%), corneal disease (1.8%), strabismus (1.8%) and nystagmus (0.6%).Conclusions: There is a need to implement school health policy on visual screening prior to admissions in schools and annual eye screening program for early detection and prompt treatment of eye problems among school children in Muzaffarabad.

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Prevalence of severe visual impairment and barriers to access eye care services in the Udupi district

Asian Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.35119/asjoo.v17i4.291 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (4) ◽

pp. 343-355

Author(s):

Lavanya G. Rao ◽

Dushyanth Sharma ◽

Sulatha V. Bhandary ◽

Divya Handa ◽

Yogish Kamath

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Visual Acuity ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Visual Impairment ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Eye Care ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Care Services ◽

Care Facilities ◽

Lack Of Knowledge

Aim: To assess the prevalence of severe visual impairment (SVI) and reasons for not accessing eye care services in a field practice area of a tertiary care hospital. Study design: Cross-sectional observational study. Materials and methods: Through a cross-sectional study using simple random sampling, a total of 1510, individuals above 18 years of age, from six rural and maternity welfare centers (RMCW) within a distance of 20 km from a tertiary hospital were approached. All participants underwent basic assessment of visual acuity, anterior segment evaluation using torch light, and answered a structured questionnaire on eye care. Results: Of 1510 subjects, 267 had SVI (defined as visual acuity < 6/60 either in one or both eyes) with a prevalence of 17.7%. SVI was higher among men and those above 60 years of age (52.8%). Significant association was found between barriers to accessing eye care facilities and lack of knowledge to access health care (p = 0.004), lack of financial support (95% CI, p = 0.006), and social reasons (95% CI, p = 0.028). Prevalence of SVI among diabetics was 32.7% as compared to non-diabetics (OR: 2.630; 95% confidence interval: 1.864–3.712), and among hypertensives was 34.61% as compared to non-hypertensives (OR: 2.836; 95% confidence interval: 1.977–4.068). Conclusion: In spite of being close to a tertiary care center, a prevalence of SVI in 17.7% of this population indicates a lack of knowledge regarding the importance of self-health care in subjects. This emphasizes the need to increase the awareness among the general public to access the ophthalmic health care facilities in order to improve the ocular health of the patients.

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Cardiovascular health and near visual impairment among older adults in the Republic of Congo: a population-based study

The Journals of Gerontology Series A ◽

10.1093/gerona/glaa304 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Antoine Gbessemehlan ◽

Catherine Helmer ◽

Cécile Delcourt ◽

Farid Boumediene ◽

Bébène Ndamba-Bandzouzi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Visual Acuity ◽

Visual Impairment ◽

Cardiovascular Health ◽

Central Africa ◽

Population Based ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Sub Saharan

Abstract Background Visual impairment (VI) and determinants of poor cardiovascular health are very common in sub-Saharan Africa. However, we do not know whether these determinants are associated to VI among older adults in this region. This study aimed at investigating the association between the determinants of poor cardiovascular health and near VI among older adults living in Congo. Methods Participants were Congolese older adults aged ≥ 65 years included in EPIDEMCA-FU (Epidemiology of Dementia in Central Africa - Follow-up) population-based cohort. Near VI was defined as visual acuity < 20/40 measured at 30 cm. Associations between determinants of poor cardiovascular health collected at baseline and near visual acuity measured at 1 st follow-up were investigated using multivariable logistic regression models. Results Among the 549 participants included, 378 (68.8% [95% Confidence Interval: 64.9%-72.7%]) had near VI. Of the determinants of poor cardiovascular health explored, we found that having high BMI ≥ 25 kg/m 2 (Odds Ratio= 2.15 [95% CI: 1.25–3.68]), diabetes (OR=2.12 [95% CI: 1.06–4.25]) and hypertension (OR=1.65 [95% CI: 1.02–2.64]) were independently associated with near VI. Conclusions Several determinants of poor cardiovascular health were associated to near VI in this population. This study suggests that promoting a good cardiovascular health could represent a target for VI prevention among older adults.

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Prenatal and neonatal factors for the development of childhood visual impairment in primary and middle school students: a cross-sectional survey in Guangzhou, China

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032721 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. e032721

Author(s):

Bolan Yu ◽

Lijuan Dai ◽

Juanjuan Chen ◽

Wen Sun ◽

Jingsi Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Middle School ◽

Visual Acuity ◽

Middle School Students ◽

Visual Impairment ◽

High Birth Weight ◽

Delivery Mode ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

School Students ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Postnatal Factors

ObjectivesIn this cross-sectional survey, we sought to determine the prevalence of and the influence of prenatal and neonatal factors on childhood visual impairment without correction (VIUC) in a paediatric population from Guangzhou, China.SettingThe health survey covered 11 administrative districts in Guangzhou, including 991 schools.ParticipantsAll of the primary and middle school students in Guangzhou were invited to complete an online questionnaire with the help of their parents. The results of physical examinations were reported by school medical departments. The results of the questionnaire were collected by the researchers. In total, 253 301 questionnaires were collected.Primary outcome measuresThe students’ uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was examined by trained optometrists by standard logarithmic visual acuity charts. VIUC was defined by UCVA (of the better eye) (UCVA <6/12) with three levels: light VIUC (UCVA ≥6/18 to <6/12), mild VIUC (UCVA ≥6/60 to <6/18) and severe VIUC (UCVA <6/60).ResultsA total of 39 768 individuals (15.7%) had VIUC, and the rate was much higher among grade 10 to 12 students (51.4%) than among grade 1 to 6 students (6.71%). The following factors were significantly associated with an increased risk of VIUC: female gender, high birth weight, formula feeding, not having siblings, higher level of parents’ education, parental myopia, much homework time and little outdoor activity. Delivery mode was not associated with the risk of VIUC.ConclusionsThis study validates known major prenatal/genetic, perinatal and postnatal factors for childhood VIUC. In conclusion, prenatal and perinatal factors can affect the onset of childhood VIUC, but parental myopia and postnatal factors are the main factors.

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Diagnosing Cerebral Visual Impairment in Children with Good Visual Acuity

Strabismus ◽

10.3109/09273972.2012.680232 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 78-83 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Maria van Genderen ◽

Marjoke Dekker ◽

Florine Pilon ◽

Irmgard Bals

Keyword(s):

Visual Acuity ◽

Visual Impairment ◽

Good Visual Acuity ◽

Cerebral Visual Impairment

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High Prevalence of Asthenopia among a Population of University Students

Journal of Ophthalmic and Vision Research ◽

10.18502/jovr.v14i4.5455 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Hassan Hashemi ◽

Mohammad Saatchi ◽

Abbasali Yekta ◽

Babak Ali ◽

Hadi Ostadimoghaddam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Visual Acuity ◽

University Students ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Multiple Regression Model ◽

Cluster Sampling ◽

Blurred Vision ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

High Prevalence ◽

And Gender

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of asthenopia and its associated factors in a sample of university students in Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, participants were selected using multistage cluster sampling. Presence of at least one of the 10 symptoms—foreign body sensation, diplopia, blurred vision, eye swelling, dry eye, eye pain, difficulty in sustaining visual operations, decreased visual acuity, tearing, and photophobia—was considered as asthenopia. Ocular examinations, including uncorrected/corrected visual acuity measurement, objective/subjective refraction, cover test, amplitude of accommodation (AA), and near point of convergence (NPC) were performed. Results: Of the 1,462 students (mean age: 22.8 ± 3.1 years), 73% were women. The age- and gender standardized prevalence was 70.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 68.3–73.5), 39.8% (95% CI: 36.4–43.1), and 19.7% (95% CI: 16.0–23.3) based on the presence of at least one, two, and three symptoms, respectively. The prevalence was significantly higher in females (P = 0.048), hyperopic students (P < 0.001), and astigmatic participants (P < 0.001). The mean AA and NPC were 9.7 ± 2.6 D and 10.2 ± 4.2 D (P = 0.008) and 7.0 ± 2.1 cm and 7.7 ± 3.9 cm (P < 0.001) in participants with and without asthenopia, respectively. Multiple regression model revealed age (28–29 years), astigmatism, and NPC as independent associated factors (odds ratios: 3.51, 1.61, and 0.91, respectively). Conclusion: This study shows relatively high prevalence of asthenopia in university students. Demographic factors and visual system disorders are important risk factors and timely correction of conditions may lead to decreased asthenopia.

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Self-reported vision and hallucinations in older adults: results from two longitudinal US health surveys

Age and Ageing ◽

10.1093/ageing/afaa043 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 49 (5) ◽

pp. 843-849

Author(s):

Ali G Hamedani ◽

Dylan P Thibault ◽

Judy A Shea ◽

Allison W Willis

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cataract Surgery ◽

Visual Impairment ◽

Health Surveys ◽

Vision Loss ◽

Adult Population ◽

Population Level ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Nationally Representative

Abstract Background Vision loss may be a risk factor for hallucinations, but this has not been studied at the population level. Methods To determine the association between self-reported vision loss and hallucinations in a large community-based sample of older adults, we performed a cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of two large, nationally representative US health surveys: the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) and the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Visual impairment and hallucinations were self- or proxy-reported. Multivariate single and mixed effects logistic regression models were built to examine whether visual impairment and history of cataract surgery were associated with hallucinations. Results In NHATS (n = 1520), hallucinations were more prevalent in those who reported difficulty reading newspaper print (OR 1.77, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.32–2.39) or recognising someone across the street (OR 2.48, 95% CI: 1.86–3.31) after adjusting for confounders. In HRS (n = 3682), a similar association was observed for overall (OR 1.32, 95% CI: 1.08–1.60), distance (OR 1.61, 95% CI: 1.32–1.96) and near eyesight difficulties (OR 1.52, 95% CI: 1.25–1.85). In neither sample was there a significant association between cataract surgery and hallucinations after adjusting for covariates. Conclusions Visual dysfunction is associated with increased odds of hallucinations in the older US adult population. This suggests that the prevention and treatment of vision loss may potentially reduce the prevalence of hallucinations in older adults.

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A Study of Prominent Ears Among Undergraduates in Delta State University at Abraka in Nigeria

10.53350/pjmhs2115123524 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (12) ◽

pp. 3524-3526

Author(s):

Anibor Ese ◽

Etetafia Mabel Okiemute ◽

Omunu Richard Ovwigho ◽

Martins Susan Onyekachi

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Gender Disparity ◽

Sampling Procedure ◽

Cluster Sampling ◽

State University ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Prominent Ears ◽

Prominent Ear ◽

Surgical Measures ◽

Delta State University

The goal of this inquiry is to establish the pervasiveness of prominent ears among undergraduates of Delta State University, Abraka in Nigeria.The outcome can act as a guide during correctional surgical measures in congenital or acquired ear defects. This enquiry adopted an observational cross-sectional study plan. The study sample comprised of both male and female undergraduates of Delta State University, Abraka aged between 16-30 years. Exactly 384 individuals (184 males and 200 females) were sampled and the cluster sampling procedure was practiced. Data was collected with the aid of a sliding vernier caliper, pencil, and a data collection sheet. Every subject’s head was kept in Frankfort’s horizontal plane and dimensions were taken with a sliding caliper. Ear projection greater than 21mm was defined as ear prominence. Totality of 36 (9.38%) had small right ear while 28 (7.29%) had small left ear. Prominent ear was more prevalent on the right region (n=44, 11.45%) than on the left (n=19, 4.95%). Entirety of 63 (16.4%) had prominent ears with more males affected compared to the females. The gender disparity in the occurrence of prominent ears is not remarkable (p>0.05). The relationship between age and the occurrence of prominent ears was remarkable (p=.000). Indubitably prominent ear is not widespread among the considered undergraduates.

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VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AND ENGAGEMENT IN COGNITIVELY STIMULATING ACTIVITIES

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.2432 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S656-S656

Author(s):

Bonnielin Swenor ◽

beatriz Munoz ◽

Eleanor M Simonsick

Keyword(s):

Visual Acuity ◽

Visual Impairment ◽

Significant Decline ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Impaired Group ◽

Cognitive Activities ◽

Using Data ◽

The Relationship ◽

Stereo Acuity ◽

Over Time

Abstract We examined the relationship between visual impairment (VI) and engagement in cognitively stimulating activities using data from 924 participants in the Cognitive Vitality Sub-Study of the Health ABC Study. At Year 3 (baseline for these analyses), vision was assessed as: visual acuity (VA), contrast sensitivity (CS), and stereo acuity (SA). Participation in cognitively stimulating activities was determined based on responses to 12 questions (administered at Years 3, 5, 7, and 9) assessing frequency of participation ranging from none to daily. We calculated the total number of activities engaged in at least monthly. In cross-sectional analyses adjusted for age, race, and sex, impaired VA (≤20/40, 8%), CS (<1.55, 5%), and SA (<80 secs arc, 29%) was associated with participation in fewer cognitive activities (β=-0.54, 95% CI:-1.06, -0.03; β=-0.59, 95% CI:-0.12, 0.06; β=-0.40, 95% CI:-0.81, -0.18, respectively). Longitudinally, change per year in the number of activities differed by baseline participation levels. Those participating in ≥5 activities at baseline (population median) had a significant decline in the number of activities, irrespective of VI status. However, for those participating in <5 activities at baseline, the increase in these activities tended to be lesser in the VI than in non-VI groups, and for SA this increase was significantly lower for the impaired group (βimpaired=0.004; 95% CI:-0.05, 0.05; βnot-impaired=0.06; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.10; time x SA interaction p=0.0496). These data indicate that older adults with VI participate in fewer cognitive activities and the change in participation over time differs from than those without VI.

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