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. 2023 Apr 19;18(2):182-191.
doi: 10.18502/jovr.v18i2.13185. eCollection 2023 Apr-Jun.

Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Visual Impairment in Two Coastal Districts of Eastern India for Determining Effective Coverage: A Cross-Sectional Study

Amit Bhardwaj  1 , Praveen Vashist  1 , Suraj Singh Senjam  1 , Vivek Gupta  1 , Noopur Gupta  2 , Souvik Manna  1
Affiliations

Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Visual Impairment in Two Coastal Districts of Eastern India for Determining Effective Coverage: A Cross-Sectional Study

Amit Bhardwaj et al. J Ophthalmic Vis Res. .

Abstract

Purpose: To measure the prevalence and causes of visual impairment (VI) among the 40+ age population in two coastal districts of India and to determine the levels of effective cataract surgical coverage (eCSC) and effective refractive error coverage (eREC) in the study population.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on 4200 people chosen using cluster sampling in two coastal districts of Odisha, an eastern state in India. A team consisting of trained optometrists and social workers conducted the ocular examination which included unaided, pinhole, and aided visual acuity assessments followed by examination of the anterior segment and lens.

Results: Overall, 3745 (89.2%) participants were examined from 60 study clusters, 30 in each district. Among those examined, 1677 (44.8%) were men, 2554 (68.2%) were educated and number? (17.8%) used distance spectacles during the survey. The prevalence of VI adjusted for age and gender was 12.77% (95% CI 11.85-13.69%). Multiple logistic regression showed that older age (OR 3.1; 95% CI 2.0-4.7) and urban residence (OR 1.2; 95% CI 1.0-1.6) were associated with VI. Being educated (OR 0.4; 95% CI 0.3-0.6) and using glasses (OR 0.3; 95% CI 0.5-0.2) were found to provide protection; therefore, resulting in lower instances of VI. Cataract (62.7%) and uncorrected refractive errors (27.1%) were the two main causes of VI. The eCSC was 35.1%, the eREC for distance was 40.0%, and the eREC for near was 35.7%.

Conclusion: VI remains a challenge in Odisha, as the prevalence is high and the surgical coverage is poor. Nearly 90% of VI is avoidable indicating that targeted interventions are required to address this problem.

Keywords: Cataract; Refractive Error; Blindness.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Examination protocol of the RAAVI Study in Khordha and Ganjam districts of Odisha.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Age-wise prevalence of visual impairment among 40+ population in Khordha and Ganjam districts of Odisha.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Causes of blindness and visual impairment (PVA < 6/12 in better eye) among 40+ population in Khordha and Ganjam districts of Odisha.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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