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. 2024 May 30;14(5):e083199.
doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-083199.

Cross-sectional study of prevalence, causes and trends in visual impairment in Nirmal District, Telangana, India: Nirmal Eye Evaluation for Trends study

Srinivas Marmamula  1   2   3   4 , Aritra Chinya  5 , Vijay Kumar Yelagondula  3 , Rajashekar Varada  5 , Rohit C Khanna  5   2   6 , Raja Narayanan  4   7
Affiliations

Cross-sectional study of prevalence, causes and trends in visual impairment in Nirmal District, Telangana, India: Nirmal Eye Evaluation for Trends study

Srinivas Marmamula et al. BMJ Open. .

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence, causes and risk factors associated with visual impairment (VI) in the Nirmal district of Telangana, India, using extended Rapid Assessment of Visual Impairment (RAVI) methodology.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Community setting.

Participants: Participants aged ≥16 years were enumerated from 90 randomly selected clusters and 4629/5400 (85.7%) participants were examined. Presenting visual acuity (VA) was assessed using a Snellen chart with E optotypes at a 6 m distance. Near vision was assessed binocularly using an N notation chart with tumbling E optotypes at a 40 cm distance. An anterior segment examination done followed by distance direct ophthalmoscopy at 50 cm. Non-mydriatic fundus images were obtained. VI was defined as presenting VA worse than 6/12 in the better eye. The prevalence of VI in the current study was compared with a RAVI study conducted in 2014 to assess the trends in VI among those aged ≥40 years.

Primary outcome: Prevalence, causes and risk factors for VI.

Results: Among those examined, 55% were women, 53% had at least school-level education, 2.3% self-reported diabetes and 8.7% self-reported hypertension. The prevalence of VI was 8.81% (95% CI 8.01% to 9.67%). Overall, uncorrected refractive errors (49.5%) were the leading cause of VI, followed by cataracts (40.2%) and posterior segment diseases (4.9%). Among those aged ≥40 years, the prevalence of VI declined by 19.3% compared with the 2014 baseline study (from 20.2% to 16.3%; p<0.01).

Conclusion: The extended RAVI study conducted in the Nirmal district showed a considerable decline in the prevalence of VI. Targeted interventions are needed to provide adequate eye care for the high-risk groups in this district.

Keywords: epidemiologic studies; observational study; public health.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Causes of visual impairment across the age groups.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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