A population-based study of visual impairment in the Lower Tugela health district in KZN, SA

2013 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
K.S. Naidoo ◽  
D Sweeney ◽  
J Jaggernath ◽  
B. Holden
Keyword(s):  
Diabetic Retinopathy ◽  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Refractive Error ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Health District ◽  
Hypertensive Retinopathy ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

A cross-sectional, population-based, epidemiological study of blindness and visual impairment was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of vision loss and various sight-threatening conditions in the Lower Tugela health district of the KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. This study was conducted on a randomly selected sample of 3444 individuals from the district. This number represented 84% of those who were visited and 80.1% of the total sample selected. The participants ranged in age from 5 to 93 years (mean of 29.2 years and a median of 20.0 years). The proportion of men to women differed between participants aged <30 years and those aged >30 years. In both age groups, women represented the majority of participants (66.5%), but the number of women to men in the older age group was approximately twice that found in the group aged less than 30 years. The difference in age between the men and women in the study was not statistically significant (p >0.5). The study revealed that 6.4% of the population studied were visually impaired. The distribution of uncorrected visual acuity was better for women than for men for both OD and OS (p = 0.000 for OD and OS). The main causes of visual impairment were refractive error (44.5%), cataract (31.2%), glaucoma (6.0%), hypertensive retinopathy (4.1%) and diabetic retinopathy (4.1%). Unilateral blindness (OD) was present in 0.78% (95% Confidence interval (CI): 0.42%-1.14%) of participants and unilateral blindness (OS) was present in 1.1% (95% CI: 0.70%-1.50%). Thirty-one participants (0.9%) were bilaterally blind with the main causes being cataracts (54.8%) and refractive error (12.9%). Glaucoma and hypertensive retinopathy were responsible for 6.4% of ..bilateral blindness. Diabetic retinopathy, other retinal conditions (coloboma) and corneal scarring were each responsible for 3.2% of bilateral blindness. Albinism, coloboma and age-related macular degeneration accounted for 9.7% of bilateral blindness. The data provides much needed information to support the planning of eye care programs in KwaZulu-Natal.  (S Afr Optom 2013 72(3) 110-118)

Common age-related eye diseases and visual impairment

2017 ◽  
pp. 1165-1170
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Chua ◽  
Ching-Yu Cheng ◽  
Tien Yin Wong
Keyword(s):  
Diabetic Retinopathy ◽  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Refractive Error ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Eye Disorders ◽  
Appropriate Treatment ◽  
Uncorrected Refractive Error

General physicians have an essential role in preventing vision loss in older people. However, most vision-threatening eye disorders are initially asymptomatic and often go underdiagnosed. Therefore screening, early detection, and timely intervention are important in their management. The most common cause of visual impairment is uncorrected or undercorrected refractive error, followed by cataract, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. Spectacles and cataract surgery can successfully restore sight for uncorrected refractive error and cataract, respectively. Visual impairment as a result of age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy can be prevented with appropriate treatment if they are identified early enough. This chapter provides an overview of common age-related eye disease and visual impairment.

Common age-related eye diseases and visual impairment

2017 ◽  
pp. 1165-1170
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Chua ◽  
Ching-Yu Cheng ◽  
Tien Yin Wong
Keyword(s):  
Diabetic Retinopathy ◽  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Refractive Error ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Eye Disorders ◽  
Appropriate Treatment ◽  
Uncorrected Refractive Error

General physicians have an essential role in preventing vision loss in older people. However, most vision-threatening eye disorders are initially asymptomatic and often go underdiagnosed. Therefore, screening, early detection, and timely intervention are important in their management. The most common cause of visual impairment is uncorrected or under-corrected refractive error, followed by cataract, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. Spectacles and cataract surgery can successfully restore sight for uncorrected refractive error and cataract, respectively. Visual impairment as a result of age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy can be prevented with appropriate treatment if they are identified early enough. This chapter provides an overview of common age-related eye disease and visual impairment.

scholarly journals Prevalence and causes of vision loss in North Africa and Middle East in 2015: magnitude, temporal trends and projections

2018 ◽  
Vol 103 (7) ◽  
pp. 863-870 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rim Kahloun ◽  
Moncef Khairallah ◽  
Serge Resnikoff ◽  
Maria Vittoria Cicinelli ◽  
Seth R Flaxman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetic Retinopathy ◽  
Middle East ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Refractive Error ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Corneal Opacity ◽  
Vision Impairment ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Uncorrected Refractive Error

BackgroundTo assess the prevalence and causes of vision impairment in North Africa and the Middle East (NAME) from 1990 to 2015 and to forecast projections for 2020.MethodsBased on a systematic review of medical literature, the prevalence of blindness (presenting visual acuity (PVA) <3/60 in the better eye), moderate and severe vision impairment (MSVI; PVA <6/18 but ≥3/60) and mild vision impairment (PVA <6/12 but ≥6/18) was estimated for 2015 and 2020.ResultsThe age-standardised prevalence of blindness and MSVI for all ages and genders decreased from 1990 to 2015, from 1.72 (0.53–3.13) to 0.95% (0.32%–1.71%), and from 6.66 (3.09–10.69) to 4.62% (2.21%–7.33%), respectively, with slightly higher figures for women than men. Cataract was the most common cause of blindness in 1990 and 2015, followed by uncorrected refractive error. Uncorrected refractive error was the leading cause of MSVI in the NAME region in 1990 and 2015, followed by cataract. A reduction in the proportions of blindness and MSVI due to cataract, corneal opacity and trachoma is predicted by 2020. Conversely, an increase in the proportion of blindness attributable to uncorrected refractive error, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy is expected.ConclusionsIn 2015 cataract and uncorrected refractive error were the major causes of vision loss in the NAME region. Proportions of vision impairment from cataract, corneal opacity and trachoma are expected to decrease by 2020, and those from uncorrected refractive error, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration are predicted to increase by 2020.

scholarly journals A Systematic Review of Carotenoids in the Management of Diabetic Retinopathy

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 2441
Author(s):  
Drake W. Lem ◽  
Dennis L. Gierhart ◽  
Pinakin Gunvant Davey
Keyword(s):  
Diabetic Retinopathy ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Microvascular Disease ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Cell Degeneration ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Induced Changes ◽  
Dietary Carotenoid

Diabetic retinopathy, which was primarily regarded as a microvascular disease, is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. With obesity at epidemic proportions, diabetes-related ocular problems are exponentially increasing in the developed world. Oxidative stress due to hyperglycemic states and its associated inflammation is one of the pathological mechanisms which leads to depletion of endogenous antioxidants in retina in a diabetic patient. This contributes to a cascade of events that finally leads to retinal neurodegeneration and irreversible vision loss. The xanthophylls lutein and zeaxanthin are known to promote retinal health, improve visual function in retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration that has oxidative damage central in its etiopathogenesis. Thus, it can be hypothesized that dietary supplements with xanthophylls that are potent antioxidants may regenerate the compromised antioxidant capacity as a consequence of the diabetic state, therefore ultimately promoting retinal health and visual improvement. We performed a comprehensive literature review of the National Library of Medicine and Web of Science databases, resulting in 341 publications meeting search criteria, of which, 18 were found eligible for inclusion in this review. Lutein and zeaxanthin demonstrated significant protection against capillary cell degeneration and hyperglycemia-induced changes in retinal vasculature. Observational studies indicate that depletion of xanthophyll carotenoids in the macula may represent a novel feature of DR, specifically in patients with type 2 or poorly managed type 1 diabetes. Meanwhile, early interventional trials with dietary carotenoid supplementation show promise in improving their levels in serum and macular pigments concomitant with benefits in visual performance. These findings provide a strong molecular basis and a line of evidence that suggests carotenoid vitamin therapy may offer enhanced neuroprotective effects with therapeutic potential to function as an adjunct nutraceutical strategy for management of diabetic retinopathy.

Poor person and areal socioeconomic status is associated with increased diabetic retinopathy and visual impairment incidence and progression

2020 ◽  
pp. bjophthalmol-2020-316430
Author(s):  
Jin Rong Low ◽  
Alfred Tau Liang Gan ◽  
Eva K Fenwick ◽  
Preeti Gupta ◽  
Tien Y Wong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Diabetic Retinopathy ◽  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Housing Type ◽  
Incidence Risk

BackgroundTo investigate the longitudinal associations between person-level and area-level socioeconomic status (PLSES and ALSES, respectively) with diabetic retinopathy (DR) and visual impairment (VI) in Asians with diabetes mellitus (DM).MethodsIn this population-based cohort study, we included 468 (39.4%) Malays and 721 (60.6%) Indians with DM, with a mean age (SD) of 58.9 (9.1) years; 50.6% were female and the mean follow-up duration was 6.2 (0.9) years. Individual PLSES parameters (education, monthly income and housing type) were quantified using questionnaires. ALSES was assessed using the Socioeconomic Disadvantage Index derived from Singapore’s 2010 areal census (higher scores indicate greater disadvantage). Incident DR and VI were defined as absent at baseline but present at follow-up, while DR and VI progression were defined as a ≥1 step increase in severity category at follow-up. Modified Poisson regression analysis was used to determine the associations of PLSES and ALSES with incidence and progression of DR and VI, adjusting for relevant confounders.ResultsIn multivariable models, per SD increase in ALSES score was associated with greater DR incidence (risk ratio (95% CI) 1.27 (1.13 to 1.44)), DR progression (1.10 (1.00 to 1.20)) and VI incidence (1.10 (1.04 to 1.16)), while lower PLSES variables were associated with increased DR (low income: 1.68 (1.21 to 2.34)) and VI (low income: 1.44 (1.13 to 1.83); ≤4 room housing: 2.00 (1.57 to 2.54)) incidence.ConclusionsWe found that both PLSES and ALSES variables were independently associated with DR incidence, progression and associated vision loss in Asians. Novel intervention strategies targeted at low socioeconomic status communities to decrease rates of DR and VI are warranted.

scholarly journals Prevalence and causes of vision loss in high-income countries and in Eastern and Central Europe in 2015: magnitude, temporal trends and projections

2018 ◽  
Vol 102 (5) ◽  
pp. 575-585 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rupert R A Bourne ◽  
Jost B Jonas ◽  
Alain M Bron ◽  
Maria Vittoria Cicinelli ◽  
Aditi Das ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Refractive Error ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
High Income ◽  
Vision Impairment ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Important Public Health Problem ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Uncorrected Refractive Error

BackgroundWithin a surveillance of the prevalence and causes of vision impairment in high-income regions and Central/Eastern Europe, we update figures through 2015 and forecast expected values in 2020.MethodsBased on a systematic review of medical literature, prevalence of blindness, moderate and severe vision impairment (MSVI), mild vision impairment and presbyopia was estimated for 1990, 2010, 2015, and 2020.ResultsAge-standardised prevalence of blindness and MSVI for all ages decreased from 1990 to 2015 from 0.26% (0.10–0.46) to 0.15% (0.06–0.26) and from 1.74% (0.76–2.94) to 1.27% (0.55–2.17), respectively. In 2015, the number of individuals affected by blindness, MSVI and mild vision impairment ranged from 70 000, 630 000 and 610 000, respectively, in Australasia to 980 000, 7.46 million and 7.25 million, respectively, in North America and 1.16 million, 9.61 million and 9.47 million, respectively, in Western Europe. In 2015, cataract was the most common cause for blindness, followed by age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, uncorrected refractive error, diabetic retinopathy and cornea-related disorders, with declining burden from cataract and AMD over time. Uncorrected refractive error was the leading cause of MSVI.ConclusionsWhile continuing to advance control of cataract and AMD as the leading causes of blindness remains a high priority, overcoming barriers to uptake of refractive error services would address approximately half of the MSVI burden. New data on burden of presbyopia identify this entity as an important public health problem in this population. Additional research on better treatments, better implementation with existing tools and ongoing surveillance of the problem is needed.

Medical retina

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bheema Patil ◽  
Pankaj Puri
Keyword(s):  
Diabetic Retinopathy ◽  
Fluorescein Angiography ◽  
Visual Loss ◽  
Clinical Skills ◽  
Night Vision ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Hypertensive Retinopathy ◽  
Fundus Fluorescein Angiography ◽  
Macular Lesion ◽  
Age Related

The chapter begins by discussing key clinical skills, namely fundus fluorescein angiography, abnormal fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography, and electrophysiology. The following areas of clinical knowledge are then discussed: diabetic retinopathy, hypertensive retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, retinal artery occlusions, age-related macular degeneration, intravitreal anti-VEGF injections, central serous chorioretinopathy, retinal vascular anomalies, retinal dystrophies, and choroidal dystrophies. The chapter concludes with eight case-based discussions, on gradual visual loss, central visual loss, visual loss in a hypertensive patient, sudden, painless visual loss, diabetic retinopathy, difficult night vision, visual loss in child, and macular lesion.

scholarly journals Prevalence and causes of blindness and vision impairment: magnitude, temporal trends and projections in South and Central Asia

2018 ◽  
Vol 103 (7) ◽  
pp. 871-877 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinay Nangia ◽  
Jost B Jonas ◽  
Ronnie George ◽  
Vijaya Lingam ◽  
Leon Ellwein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
South Asia ◽  
Refractive Error ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Vision Impairment ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Uncertainty Interval ◽  
Age Related

BackgroundTo assess prevalence and causes of vision loss in Central and South Asia.MethodsA systematic review of medical literature assessed the prevalence of blindness (presenting visual acuity<3/60 in the better eye), moderate and severe vision impairment (MSVI; presenting visual acuity <6/18 but ≥3/60) and mild vision impairment (MVI; presenting visual acuity <6/12 and ≥6/18) in Central and South Asia for 1990, 2010, 2015 and 2020.ResultsIn Central and South Asia combined, age-standardised prevalences of blindness, MSVI and MVI in 2015 were for men and women aged 50+years, 3.72% (80% uncertainty interval (UI): 1.39–6.75) and 4.00% (80% UI: 1.41–7.39), 16.33% (80% UI: 8.55–25.47) and 17.65% (80% UI: 9.00–27.62), 11.70% (80% UI: 4.70–20.32) and 12.25% (80% UI:4.86–21.30), respectively, with a significant decrease in the study period for both gender. In South Asia in 2015, 11.76 million individuals (32.65% of the global blindness figure) were blind and 61.19 million individuals (28.3% of the global total) had MSVI. From 1990 to 2015, cataract (accounting for 36.58% of all cases with blindness in 2015) was the most common cause of blindness, followed by undercorrected refractive error (36.43%), glaucoma (5.81%), age-related macular degeneration (2.44%), corneal diseases (2.43%), diabetic retinopathy (0.16%) and trachoma (0.04%). For MSVI in South Asia 2015, most common causes were undercorrected refractive error (accounting for 66.39% of all cases with MSVI), followed by cataract (23.62%), age-related macular degeneration (1.31%) and glaucoma (1.09%).ConclusionsOne-third of the global blind resided in South Asia in 2015, although the age-standardised prevalence of blindness and MSVI decreased significantly between 1990 and 2015.

scholarly journals Mortality during 6 years of follow-up in relation to visual impairment and eye disease: results from a population-based cohort study of people aged 50 years and above in Nakuru, Kenya

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. e029700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Kuper ◽  
Wanjiku Mathenge ◽  
David Macleod ◽  
Allen Foster ◽  
Michael Gichangi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Mortality Risk ◽  
Cumulative Incidence ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Eye Disease ◽  
Age Related

ObjectiveTo estimate the association between (1) visual impairment (VI) and (2) eye disease and 6-year mortality risk within a cohort of elderly Kenyan people.Design, setting and participantsThe baseline of the Nakuru Posterior Segment Eye Disease Study was formed from a population-based survey of 4318 participants aged ≥50 years, enrolled in 2007–2008. Ophthalmic and anthropometric examinations were undertaken on all participants at baseline, and a questionnaire was administered, including medical and ophthalmic history. Participants were retraced in 2013–2014 for a second examination. Vital status was recorded for all participants through information from community members. Cumulative incidence of mortality, and its relationship with baseline VI and types of eye disease was estimated. Inverse probability weighting was used to adjust for non-participation.Primary outcome measuresCumulative incidence of mortality in relation to VI level at baseline.ResultsOf the baseline sample, 2170 (50%) were re-examined at follow-up and 407 (10%) were known to have died (adjusted risk of 11.9% over 6 years). Compared to those with normal vision (visual acuity (VA) ≥6/12, risk=9.7%), the 6-year mortality risk was higher among people with VI (<6/18 to ≥6/60; risk=28.3%; risk ratio (RR) 1.75, 95% CI 1.28 to 2.40) or severe VI (SVI)/blindness (<6/60; risk=34.9%; RR 1.98, 95% CI 1.04 to 3.80). These associations remained after adjustment for non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors (mortality: RR 1.56, 95% CI 1.14 to 2.15; SVI/blind: RR 1.46, 95% CI 0.80 to 2.68). Mortality risk was also associated with presence of diabetic retinopathy at baseline (RR 3.18, 95% CI 1.98 to 5.09), cataract (RR 1.26, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.66) and presence of both cataract and VI (RR 1.57, 95% CI 1.24 to 1.98). Mortality risk was higher among people with age-related macular degeneration at baseline (with or without VI), compared with those without (RR 1.42, 95% CI 0.91 to 2.22 and RR 1.34, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.81, respectively).ConclusionsVisual acuity was related to 6-year mortality risk in this cohort of elderly Kenyan people, potentially because both VI and mortality are related to ageing and risk factors for NCD.

scholarly journals Pattern of Cystoid Macular Edema in Erbil

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-94
Author(s):  
Muhsen Al-jubouri ◽  
Ahmed Joma
Keyword(s):  
Diabetic Retinopathy ◽  
Cataract Surgery ◽  
Macular Edema ◽  
Teaching Hospital ◽  
Cystoid Macular Edema ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Teaching Hospitals ◽  
Cataract Operation ◽  
Age Related

Cystoid Macular Edema (CME) in its various forms can be considered one of the leading causes of central vision loss in the developed world. It is not a disease itself, It represents a common pathologic sequel of the retina and occurs in a variety of pathological conditions such as, diabetic retinopathy, central or branch retinal vein occlusion, intraocular inflammation and following cataract extraction. This study was done to investigate the pattern of CME in patient attending Erbil Teaching Hospitals. This is a hospital base prospective study that included 61 patients (75 eyes) conducted at Erbil Teaching Hospital and Rigor Teaching Hospital for six months. All patients underwent a comprehensive assessment including medical and ophthalmic history and detailed ophthalmic examination including slit lamp examination, intraocular pressure measurement (IOP), Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), dilated fundus examination and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) examination. It was found that of the 61 patients 32 (52.5%) were females and 29 (47.5%) were males. The mean age (56.4±10.8) years. Out of the 75 eyes included in the study, 41 eyes (54.66%) had diabetic retinopathy, 10 (13.34%) eyes had CME following cataract operation (Irvine-Gass syndrome), 8 eyes (10.67%) had BRVO, 6 eyes (8%) were had CRVO, 5 eyes (6.66%) had Age related Macular Degeneration, 3 eyes (4%) with uveitis, and 2 (2.67%) had Retinitis Pigmentosa. The average macular thickness was (415.6± 107). It was concluded that diabetic retinopathy is the most common predictive factor of CME, followed by cataract surgery. CME is more severe in diabetic retinopathy, CRVO and after cataract surgery.

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