Epidemiology
Return to Library
|
Free Epidemiology Articles |
|
|
|
|
Studies in the area of blindness epidemiology reported from J.E. Oye and co-researchers
2007 NOV 20 -- Researchers detail in 'Prevalence and causes of blindness and visual impairment in Limbe urban area, South West Province, Cameroon,' new data in blindness. In this recent report published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, researchers in Accra, Ghana conducted a study "To conduct a rapid assessment of cataract surgical services to estimate the prevalence and causes of blindness and visual impairment in members of the population aged >/=40 years in the Limbe urban area, Cameroon Clusters of 50 people aged >/=40 years were sampled with probability proportionate to size. Compact segment sampling was used to select households within clusters." "All eligible people had their visual acuity (VA) measured by an ophthalmic nurse. An ophthalmologist examined people with VA <6/18 2215 people were examined (response rate=92.3%). The prevalence of bilateral blindness was 1.1% (95% CI: 0.7-1.5%), 0.3% (0.1-0.6%) for severe visual impairment and 3.0% (2.0-4.0%) for visual impairment. Posterior-segment disease was the leading cause of blindness (29%), followed by cataracts (21%) and optic atrophy (21%). Cataracts were the most common cause of severe visual impairment (43%) and visual impairment (48%). Most cases of blindness (50%), severe visual impairment (57%) and visual impairment (78%) were avoidable (that is, they were caused by cataracts, refractive error, corneal scar, onchocerciasis or phthisis/no globe). The cataract surgical coverage was relatively high, although 57% of eyes operated upon had a poor outcome (presenting VA <6/60) Although the prevalence of blindness was relatively low, most of the cases were avoidable," wrote J.E. Oye and colleagues, . The researchers concluded: "The implementation of an effective eye-care programme remains a priority in the Limbe urban area." Oye and colleagues published their study in British Journal of Ophthalmology (Prevalence and causes of blindness and visual impairment in Limbe urban area, South West Province, Cameroon. British Journal of Ophthalmology, 2007;91(11):1435-9). For additional information, contact J.E. Oye, Sight Savers International, West Africa Regional Office, PO Box: 18190 KIA, Accra, Ghana. The publisher's contact information for the British Journal of Ophthalmology is: B M J Publishing Group, British Med Association House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9JR, England. Keywords: Ghana, Accra, Blindness Epidemiology, Blindness, Epidemiology, Ophthalmology. This article was prepared by Life Science Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Life Science Weekly via NewsRx.com.
|
