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- Title
Prevalence of blindness and its causes among those aged 50 years and above in rural Karnataka, South India.
- Authors
Chandrashekhar, T. S.; Bhat, H. V.; Pai, R. P.; Nair, S. K.
- Abstract
To estimate the prevalence of blindness and its causes among those aged 50 years and above in rural Karnataka. A total of 1505 people aged 50 years and above from 15 villages were examined. The participants were selected through a house-to-house survey by the cluster sampling method. Visual acuity was tested using a modified Snellen's chart, and eyes were examined to ascertain the cause of blindness. The prevalence of blindness was 6.6% (95% confidence interval: 5.3-7.8%). Bilateral cataract was the principal cause of blindness among 78.7% of the blind and 12.1% were operated for cataract. In conclusion, the study area has a high burden of cataract blindness. Cataract surgical services should be made readily accessible and available to this rural population.
- Subjects
KARNATAKA (India); SOUTH India; BLINDNESS; DISEASE prevalence; VISUAL acuity; CATARACT
- Publication
Tropical Doctor, 2007, Vol 37, Issue 1, p18
- ISSN
0049-4755
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1258/004947507779952113