title: Prevalence of blindness and its causes among those aged 50 years and above in rural Karnataka, South India.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Karnataka, India. Chandrashekharats@yahoo.com
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Chandrashekhar
authors.forename: H V
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Bhat
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Nair
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001766:Blindness / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002386:Cataract / Q000150:complications; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012423:Rural Health; D014792:Visual Acuity