OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and causes of uncorrectable visual impairment in the Kandy District of central Sri Lanka. DESIGN: Population-based, cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: Inhabitants >or=40 years of age from villages in the Kandy District were selected by randomized cluster sampling; 1721 eligible participants were identified and 1375 participated in the study. METHODS: The ophthalmic examination included best-corrected logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity (VA), slit-lamp examination of the anterior segment, and dilated stereoscopic fundus examination. The principal cause of visual impairment after best correction was recorded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual impairment (better eye <6/18) and blindness (better eye <3/60) after best correction. RESULTS: Comprehensive examinations, including VA, were performed on 1375 subjects (79.9% participation rate). The prevalence of blindness was 1.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.002-0.020; 15 participants). The prevalence of visual impairment was 5.9% (95% CI, 0.043-0.075; 81 subjects). Cataract and age-related macular degeneration were the main causes of visual impairment. CONCLUSIONS:Visual impairment remains a major public health problem in central Sri Lanka. Specific programs directed at reducing the cataract burden need to be implemented. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and causes of uncorrectable visual impairment in the Kandy District of central Sri Lanka. DESIGN: Population-based, cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: Inhabitants >or=40 years of age from villages in the Kandy District were selected by randomized cluster sampling; 1721 eligible participants were identified and 1375 participated in the study. METHODS: The ophthalmic examination included best-corrected logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity (VA), slit-lamp examination of the anterior segment, and dilated stereoscopic fundus examination. The principal cause of visual impairment after best correction was recorded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual impairment (better eye <6/18) and blindness (better eye <3/60) after best correction. RESULTS: Comprehensive examinations, including VA, were performed on 1375 subjects (79.9% participation rate). The prevalence of blindness was 1.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.002-0.020; 15 participants). The prevalence of visual impairment was 5.9% (95% CI, 0.043-0.075; 81 subjects). Cataract and age-related macular degeneration were the main causes of visual impairment. CONCLUSIONS:Visual impairment remains a major public health problem in central Sri Lanka. Specific programs directed at reducing the cataract burden need to be implemented. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
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: Gudlavalleti V S Murthy; Neena John; Bindiganavale R Shamanna; Hira B Pant Journal: Indian J Ophthalmol Date: 2012 Sep-Oct Impact factor: 1.848