Posterior segment eye disease in sub-Saharan Africa: review of recent population-based studies.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the burden of posterior segment eye diseases (PSEDs) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).


METHODS
We reviewed published population-based data from SSA and other relevant populations on the leading PSED, specifically glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration, as causes of blindness and visual impairment in adults. Data were extracted from population-based studies conducted in SSA and elsewhere where relevant.


RESULTS
PSEDs, when grouped or as individual diseases, are a major contributor to blindness and visual impairment in SSA. PSED, grouped together, was usually the second leading cause of blindness after cataract, ranging as a proportion of blindness from 13 to 37%.


CONCLUSIONS
PSEDs are likely to grow in importance as causes of visual impairment and blindness in SSA in the coming years as populations grow, age and become more urban in lifestyle. African-based cohort studies are required to help estimate present and future needs and plan services to prevent avoidable blindness.
International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
Andrew
A
Bastawrous
Philip I
PI
Burgess
Abdull M
AM
Mahdi
Fatima
F
Kyari
Matthew J
MJ
Burton
Hannah
H
Kuper
D000328:Adult; D017954:Africa South of the Sahara / Q000453:epidemiology; D017677:Age Distribution; D001766:Blindness / Q000453:epidemiology; D015984:Causality; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000453:epidemiology; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution
Africa; age-related macular degeneration; blindness; diabetic retinopathy; glaucoma; incidence; posterior segment eye disease; prevalence; visual impairment