OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and causes of visual impairment in the Meiktila district of central, rural Myanmar. DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: Random, stratified, cluster sampling of the inhabitants 40 years of age and older from villages in the Meiktila district was performed; 2481 eligible participants were identified and 2076 participated in the study. METHODS: The ophthalmic examination included presenting and pinhole Snellen visual acuity with an illiterate E chart, slit-lamp examination of the anterior segment, and dilated stereoscopic fundus examination. The principal cause of visual impairment was recorded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual impairment and blindness were defined by both presenting and corrected visual acuity according to World Health Organization criteria: better eye < 6/18 and < 3/60, respectively. RESULTS: Comprehensive examinations, including Snellen visual acuity, were performed on 2073 participants (83.6%) The prevalence estimate of presenting visual impairment was 40.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 36.1-44.7) and of presenting blindness was 8.1% (95% CI, 6.5-9.9). After pinhole correction, the corresponding prevalences were 26.8% (95% CI, 23.5-30.1) and 5.3% (95% CI, 4.0-6.6). Cataract, uncorrected refractive error, and glaucoma were the most common causes of visual impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Visual impairment and blindness remain major public health problems in rural Myanmar. Specific programs directed toward reducing the cataract burden need to be implemented.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and causes of visual impairment in the Meiktila district of central, rural Myanmar. DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: Random, stratified, cluster sampling of the inhabitants 40 years of age and older from villages in the Meiktila district was performed; 2481 eligible participants were identified and 2076 participated in the study. METHODS: The ophthalmic examination included presenting and pinhole Snellen visual acuity with an illiterate E chart, slit-lamp examination of the anterior segment, and dilated stereoscopic fundus examination. The principal cause of visual impairment was recorded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual impairment and blindness were defined by both presenting and corrected visual acuity according to World Health Organization criteria: better eye < 6/18 and < 3/60, respectively. RESULTS: Comprehensive examinations, including Snellen visual acuity, were performed on 2073 participants (83.6%) The prevalence estimate of presenting visual impairment was 40.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 36.1-44.7) and of presenting blindness was 8.1% (95% CI, 6.5-9.9). After pinhole correction, the corresponding prevalences were 26.8% (95% CI, 23.5-30.1) and 5.3% (95% CI, 4.0-6.6). Cataract, uncorrected refractive error, and glaucoma were the most common causes of visual impairment. CONCLUSIONS:Visual impairment and blindness remain major public health problems in rural Myanmar. Specific programs directed toward reducing the cataract burden need to be implemented.
Authors: Taraprasad Das; Peter Ackland; Marcelino Correia; Prut Hanutsaha; Palitha Mahipala; Phanindra B Nukella; Gopal P Pokharel; Abu Raihan; Gullapalli N Rao; Thulasiraj D Ravilla; Yudha D Sapkota; Gilbert Simanjuntak; Ngwang Tenzin; Ubeydulla Thoufeeq; Tin Win Journal: Int Ophthalmol Date: 2017-03-02 Impact factor: 2.031
Authors: Xin Rong Duan; Yuan Bo Liang; Ning Li Wang; Tien Yin Wong; Lan Ping Sun; Xiao Hui Yang; Qiu Shan Tao; Rui Zhi Yuan; David S Friedman Journal: Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol Date: 2012-04-11 Impact factor: 3.117
Authors: Gudlavalleti V S Murthy; Neena John; Bindiganavale R Shamanna; Hira B Pant Journal: Indian J Ophthalmol Date: 2012 Sep-Oct Impact factor: 1.848
Authors: Hassan Hashemi; Farhad Rezvan; AbbasAli Yekta; Hadi Ostadimoghaddam; Sara Soroush; Nooshin Dadbin; Mehdi Khabazkhoob Journal: Iran J Public Health Date: 2015-06 Impact factor: 1.429