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Survey: Cataract accounts for 79% of visual impairment in Sri Lanka
Ophthalmology. 2009;116(1):52-56.
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The prevalence of visual impairment in Sri Lanka is 5.9%, according to the Kandy Eye Study, a population-based survey. Cataract and age-related macular degeneration are the leading causes of visual impairment.
The survey was conducted in the Kandy District of Sri Lanka's Central Province.
"The prevalence of preventable blindness is considerably greater than previously believed. Cataract remains a public health concern in this region," the study authors said.
Of 1,721 eligible subjects, 1,375 participated (79.9%) in the study. The average age of participants was 57 years. All subjects underwent evaluation of presenting and best corrected logMAR visual acuity, slit lamp examination of the anterior segment and stereoscopic fundus examination. Primary outcome measures were visual impairment (corrected visual acuity less than 6/18 in the better eye) and blindness (corrected visual acuity less than 3/60 in the better eye), based on World Health Organization criteria.
Data showed cataract caused 79% of visual impairment and age-related macular degeneration caused 15%. The rates of blindness, visual impairment and low vision were 1.1%, 5.9% and 4.8%, respectively, the authors said.
Shortcomings of the survey included a lack of data from patients younger than 40 years, a disproportionately female population sample and a lack of visual field data.