title: Near visual impairment and spectacle coverage in Telangana, India.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study highlights the burden of near visual impairment (NVI) in India.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  NVI is a common condition that can be addressed through provision of spectacles. The study aims to assess the prevalence of NVI and spectacle coverage among those aged ≥40 years in south Indian state of Telangana.
  
  
  METHODS
  Population-based cross-sectional study using a rapid assessment methodology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five thousand one hundred forty participants enumerated from 123 clusters in two districts and have presenting distance visual acuity of ≥6/18 in the better eye.
  
  
  METHODS
  Presenting near vision was assessed binocularly at a fixed distance of 40 cm using a log MAR chart with tumbling E optotypes in ambient lighting conditions. If the presenting near vision was worse than 6/12 (log MAR 0.3), then it was re-assessed with addition lens appropriate to the age. NVI was defined as binocular presenting near vision worse than 6/12.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prevalence of NVI and spectacle coverage.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the participants was 51.1 years (standard deviation: 9.3 years), and 46.5% (n = 2392) were women. About 80% (n = 4142) of them had no education, and 21.9% (n = 1126) were using spectacles for near vision. Nearly half of the participants were from Adilabad district (n = 2665). The prevalence of NVI was 58.3% (95% confidence interval: 56.9-59.6). NVI was associated with older age groups, male gender and no education. The spectacle coverage was 26.5%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NVI is common in rural Telangana with low spectacle coverage. Service delivery programs should use a multi-pronged approach to address the burden of NVI.
authors.affiliation: Allen Foster Community Eye Health Research Centre, Gullapalli Pratibha Rao International Centre for Advancement of Rural Eye Care, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India.|Brien Holden Institute of Optometry and Vision Science, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India.|Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India.|Wellcome Trust/Department of Biotechnology India Alliance, Research Fellow, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India.
authors.forename: Srinivas
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1716-9809
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marmamula
authors.affiliation: Allen Foster Community Eye Health Research Centre, Gullapalli Pratibha Rao International Centre for Advancement of Rural Eye Care, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India.|Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India.
authors.forename: Rohit C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Khanna
authors.affiliation: Allen Foster Community Eye Health Research Centre, Gullapalli Pratibha Rao International Centre for Advancement of Rural Eye Care, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India.
authors.forename: Eswararao
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kunuku
authors.affiliation: Allen Foster Community Eye Health Research Centre, Gullapalli Pratibha Rao International Centre for Advancement of Rural Eye Care, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India.|Brien Holden Institute of Optometry and Vision Science, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India.
authors.forename: Gullapalli N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Rao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005139:Eyeglasses / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012424:Rural Population; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D014792:Visual Acuity
keywords: Telangana; presbyopia; rapid assessment of visual impairment; spectacle coverage