Visual impairment from age-related cataract among an indigenous African population

Epidemiology of eye diseases: outcomes from a free provincial eye clinic in Papua New Guinea

Aim

To ascertain the prevalence and pattern of eye problems in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea.

Materials and methods

A six-month retrospective study was performed at Madang Provincial Hospital Eye Clinic. Convenience sampling was used in this study and all patient records from January to June 2020 were included. Data was extracted using Microsoft Excel and the data included gender, age, occupation, district where the patient lived, presenting visual acuity, and diagnosis. It was then analyzed using International Business Machines Corporation's Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26. A p-value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 1,715 patients received services at the eye clinic between January and June 2020, and 1,664 were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 39.3 ± 20.3 years. There were slightly more males (50.4%) than females. The overall leading ocular morbidities were corneal ulcers and keratitis (20.7%), refractive errors (17.4%), and cataracts (16.8%). More than half of the patients (56.2%) were either visually impaired or blind. Nearly half of the patients (41.8%) traveled long distances to seek services at the eye clinic. There was a significant association between demographic characteristics, diagnosis, and level of visual impairment.

Conclusion

There is a high prevalence of potential causes of visual impairment and blindness in Madang Province and these conditions affect all age groups and genders. It is essential to increase accessibility to eye care services in the country.

Comparison of INTREPID® balanced and hybrid tips on anterior capsule rupture in ex vivo porcine eyes

Phacoemulsification has emerged as the global standard for cataract surgery, and various novel methods, tools, and agents have promoted surgical efficiency and reduced complications. Conventionally, the phaco tip, which cleaves and aspirates the cataractous lens, has been mainly constructed of metal. In this study, the risk of anterior capsule rupture was evaluated under conditions of different power modes, longitudinal (Mode-L), torsional (Mode-T), or both (Mode-LT), and different aspiration powers (0 or 200 mmHg), using a traditional metal phaco tip (Group-M) or a new phaco tip with a high-strength polymer overmold on the needle edge (Group-P), which was developed to reduce the risk of capsule rupture. One hundred twenty porcine eyes were used for experiments within a setting of typical human physiological intraocular pressure. We found that Group-M showed capsule rupture with a smaller ultrasound power than did Group-P, regardless of power mode or aspiration power. In Group-M, there was no significant difference in risk of capsule rupture among power modes, however in Group-P, capsule rupture was least likely to occur with Mode-T. These results provide useful information for inexperienced ophthalmologists to improve surgical safety.

Cataract and associated factors among adults visiting ophthalmic clinic at Debre Markos comprehensive specialized hospital, northwest Ethiopia, 2020

Introduction:

Globally, it is estimated that 2.2 billion people have a visual impairment, of which around 65.2 million is due to cataract. Cataract is the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide, with the greatest burden found in low-income countries. That is providing recent epidemiological data is very crucial to design intervention measures. The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude and associated factors of cataract among adults visiting ophthalmic clinic, Debre Markos comprehensive specialized hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2020.

Methods:

The sample size was calculated using single population formula and determined to be 174. All adult participants aged ⩾40 were the source population and those fulfilling the inclusion criteria were the study population. An institutional-based cross-sectional study design using a systematic random sampling technique was conducted from July to August, 2020. Semi-structured questionnaires and patients’ card were used to collect data. Data were entered into epi-data version 4.6 and the analysis was conducted using SPSS-25 software. Data were presented using graphs, tables and texts. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with cataract. Adjusted odds ratio with corresponding 95% confidence interval was computed to show the strength of association. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Result:

From a total of 174 samples, 158 participated, giving a response rate of 90.8%. The prevalence of cataract was found to be 90 (57%). The variables—age 60–69 years (adjusted odds ratio = 6.667, 95% confidence interval: (1.662, 13.101)); age 70–79 years (adjusted odds ratio = 9.583, 95% confidence interval: (2.840, 32.342)), and single marital status (adjusted odds ratio = 2.945, 95% confidence interval: (1.241, 6.989))—had a significant association with cataract.

Conclusion:

The prevalence of cataract was found to be very high, which needs immediate intervention. Older age and single marital status were found to be significantly associated with cataract prevalence.

Solar ultraviolet radiation in Africa: a systematic review and critical evaluation of the health risks and use of photoprotection

The majority of the African continent experiences high solar UVB radiation throughout the year. The adverse consequences of this on the health of populations living in Africa are reviewed.

Prevalence and risk factors for eye diseases, blindness, and low vision in Lhasa, Tibet

AIM

To determine the prevalence and risk factors for eye diseases, blindness, and low vision in Tibet, and to assist the development of eye disease prevention and treatment schemes.

METHODS

We carried out a survey of eye diseases among a population living at high altitude. A total of 1 115 Tibetan permanent residents aged 40 years or older from the towns and villages of Qushui County, Lhasa Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region, participated in this study. All participants completed a detailed questionnaire, and underwent presenting and pinhole visual acuity tests, and a comprehensive ophthalmic examination.

RESULTS

There were 187 blind eyes (8.43%), 231 eyes with low vision (10.41%). The leading cause of visual impairment was cataract of 55.0% (101/187) blindness and of 50.2% (116/231) low vision, followed by fundus lesions of 22.9% blindness and 23.8% low vision, while only a low prevalence of glaucoma of 9.6% blindness and 1.7% low vision was observed. The analysis of 2 219 eyes showed that the most common external eye disease was pterygium (27.2%) in Tibet.

CONCLUSION

The high prevalence of blindness and low vision in the Tibetan population at high altitude is a serious public health issue. There is a need to establish and maintain an appropriate effective eye care program in Tibet.

The global burden of cataract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review the previous year's literature related to prevalence of blindness in general, blindness due to cataract, cataract surgical coverage (CSC) and cataract surgical rates (CSRs).

RECENT FINDINGS

Cataracts are the major cause of blindness and visual impairment in developing countries and contributes to more than 90% of the total disability adjusted life years. This review shows that coverage continues to be a problem in many countries, especially for the female population, those residing in rural areas and those who are illiterate. Although CSR is an indicator of the availability and acceptability of services, for measuring the impact of the program, we should look at combining CSR with CSC. This strategy would also enable us achieve our goal of eliminating avoidable blindness due to cataracts by the year 2020.

SUMMARY

Cataracts still continue- to be a major cause of blindness globally and with the rapidly aging population, it is a challenge to tackle. We need to plan a comprehensive strategy addressing issues related to availability, affordability, accessibility and acceptability of eye-care services.