title: Epidemiological aspects of visual impairment above 50 years in a rural area.
abstract: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 5 villages in central India to find out the extent, causes and epidemiological factors for visual impairment among 903 individuals aged above 50 years; 44.3% of them were visually impaired (29.4% with low vision and 14.9% blind). Age-specific visual impairment increased at a rate of 13.2% with each decade of advancing age. Landless labourers suffered more from visual impairment than other occupational groups (p < 0.05). Socioeconomic and literacy status of the population did not significantly influence the prevalence of visual impairment. Major causes of visual impairment were cataract (48.5%), refractive errors (24.5%), age-related macular degeneration (10%), glaucoma (6.8%), and others (10.2%). In view of the high prevalence of visual impairment among the elderly individuals, it is necessary to intensify our efforts in motivating them for early detection and treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sevagram, Wardha.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: G V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Murthy
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Venkatraman
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nayar
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001766:Blindness / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011305:Presbyopia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015354:Vision, Low / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology