| Purpose: To investigate prevalence of visual impairment in rural Central India.
Merhods: The population-based Central India Eye and Medical Study included 4711 subjects with an age of 30+ years. Presenting visual acuity (PRVA) and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were recorded. Visual impairment and blindness were defined using the World Health Organization (WHO) standard and United States (US) standard.
Results: Based on PRVA and WHO and US standards, 1049 (22.3±0.6%) subjects and 1290 (27.4±0.7) subjects, respectively, were visually impaired, and 35 (0.7±0.1%) subjects and 116 (2.5±0.2%) subjects, respectively, were blind. The corresponding age-standardized prevalence figures were 16.6%, 20.5%, 0.52%, and 1.87%, respectively. Using best correcting glasses could eliminate PRVA visual impairment/blindness in 729 (67.3%) subjects. Based on BCVA and using WHO and US standards, 333 (7.1±0.4%) subjects and 473 (10.1±0.4%) subjects, respectively, had visual impairment, and 22 (0.5±0.1%) and 31 (0.7±0.1%) subjects, respectively, were blind. Corresponding age standardized prevalence figures were 5.3%, 7.6, 0.38%, and 0.54%, respectively. Causes for BCVA-visual impairment/blindness were cataract (75%), postoperative posterior capsular opacification (4%), surgical complications (2%), corneal opacifications (2%), age-related macular degeneration (2%), other macular diseases (1%), and glaucoma (1%).
Conclusions: Age-standardized prevalence of PRVA-visual impairment/blindness (WHO definition) in the adult population of rural Central India was 16.6% with an increase to 77.0±4.9% in subjects aged 80+ years. Most frequent cause was undercorrected refractive error. Supply of correct glasses is the most efficient way to improve vision in the rural Central India. |
