Rapid assessment of cataract surgical coverage in rural Zululand.
OBJECTIVE
Cataract surgical coverage (CSC) is a useful indicator of the degree of success of a cataract intervention programme. However, because previously described methods are time-consuming and labour-intensive, they are rarely performed. This study describes a simple and inexpensive assessment of CSC based on screening of pensioners at pension delivery sites in a rural district.


METHODS
Random cluster-based cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
State pension distribution sites in Hlabisa, a rural district in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.


METHODS
562 old-age pensioners.


METHODS
Subjects found to be blind (visual acuity < 3/60) and those reporting a history of eye surgery were examined using a torch and direct ophthalmoscope by an ophthalmologist.


METHODS
Cases of blindness due to operable cataract and post-cataract surgical subjects were identified.


RESULTS
CSC was found to be 38.5% (95% confidence interval 29.1-47.9%). Blindness prevalence was 10.3%, with 69.0% due to cataract.
Rotchford
A P
AP
International Centre for Eye Health (Department of Preventive Ophthalmology), Institute of Ophthalmology, London.
Johnson
G J
GJ
D000368:Aged; D001766:Blindness / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002386:Cataract / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010415:Pensions; D015995:Prevalence; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology