Prevalence and Causes of Avoidable Blindness in Subjects Over 50 Years of Age in Honduras

Abstract Purpose: To describe the prevalence and causes of avoidable blindness in people aged 50 and over in the areas of influence of doctors in social service during the years 2018–2019. Methods: This observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study, with analysis of association of variables, was...

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Main Authors: Mariel Eunice Amador Rosa, Alejandra Lozano Bustillo, Iván Espinoza Salvadó, Manuel Sierra, Belinda Rivera
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Knowledge E 2022-05-01
Series:Journal of Ophthalmic & Vision Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.18502/jovr.v17i2.10794
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author Mariel Eunice Amador Rosa
Alejandra Lozano Bustillo
Iván Espinoza Salvadó
Manuel Sierra
Belinda Rivera
author_facet Mariel Eunice Amador Rosa
Alejandra Lozano Bustillo
Iván Espinoza Salvadó
Manuel Sierra
Belinda Rivera
author_sort Mariel Eunice Amador Rosa
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Purpose: To describe the prevalence and causes of avoidable blindness in people aged 50 and over in the areas of influence of doctors in social service during the years 2018–2019. Methods: This observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study, with analysis of association of variables, was conducted on patients 50 years and older at the national level, selected under simple random sampling, where sociodemographic variables, background, and clinical characteristics were studied. An ophthalmological clinical examination was performed with prior informed consent, and the information was processed and analyzed using Epi Info 7.2 statistical package and SPSS version 25. Results: Overall, 7992 people were evaluated, with a mean age of 62 years; 60.8% (4861) were women and 39.2% (3131) were men. The prevalence of blindness for both eyes was 4.5% (356/7992, 95% CI: 4.1–5.1%, p < 0.001). The prevalence of severe and moderate visual impairment was 1.5% (118/127) and 12.9% (1029)/12.6% (1004) for the right and left eyes, respectively. The main causes of blindness were cataract, refractive error, and glaucoma. Conclusion: The prevalence of avoidable blindness found in the study was higher than expected and the respective causes were consistent with previous studies. Consequently, it is recommended to implement health policies aimed at the prevention and management of avoidable blindness.
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spelling doaj.art-1716e254337b40589c570b0b10f74e2c2022-12-22T04:33:53ZengKnowledge EJournal of Ophthalmic & Vision Research2008-20102008-322X2022-05-0117222523210.18502/jovr.v17i2.10794jovr.v17i2.10794Prevalence and Causes of Avoidable Blindness in Subjects Over 50 Years of Age in HondurasMariel Eunice Amador Rosa0Alejandra Lozano Bustillo1Iván Espinoza Salvadó2Manuel Sierra3Belinda Rivera4 Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH) Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH) Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH) Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH) Ophthalmology Specialist in San Felipe General HospitalAbstract Purpose: To describe the prevalence and causes of avoidable blindness in people aged 50 and over in the areas of influence of doctors in social service during the years 2018–2019. Methods: This observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study, with analysis of association of variables, was conducted on patients 50 years and older at the national level, selected under simple random sampling, where sociodemographic variables, background, and clinical characteristics were studied. An ophthalmological clinical examination was performed with prior informed consent, and the information was processed and analyzed using Epi Info 7.2 statistical package and SPSS version 25. Results: Overall, 7992 people were evaluated, with a mean age of 62 years; 60.8% (4861) were women and 39.2% (3131) were men. The prevalence of blindness for both eyes was 4.5% (356/7992, 95% CI: 4.1–5.1%, p < 0.001). The prevalence of severe and moderate visual impairment was 1.5% (118/127) and 12.9% (1029)/12.6% (1004) for the right and left eyes, respectively. The main causes of blindness were cataract, refractive error, and glaucoma. Conclusion: The prevalence of avoidable blindness found in the study was higher than expected and the respective causes were consistent with previous studies. Consequently, it is recommended to implement health policies aimed at the prevention and management of avoidable blindness.https://doi.org/10.18502/jovr.v17i2.10794blindnesscataracthondurasprevalence
spellingShingle Mariel Eunice Amador Rosa
Alejandra Lozano Bustillo
Iván Espinoza Salvadó
Manuel Sierra
Belinda Rivera
Prevalence and Causes of Avoidable Blindness in Subjects Over 50 Years of Age in Honduras
Journal of Ophthalmic & Vision Research
blindness
cataract
honduras
prevalence
title Prevalence and Causes of Avoidable Blindness in Subjects Over 50 Years of Age in Honduras
title_full Prevalence and Causes of Avoidable Blindness in Subjects Over 50 Years of Age in Honduras
title_fullStr Prevalence and Causes of Avoidable Blindness in Subjects Over 50 Years of Age in Honduras
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence and Causes of Avoidable Blindness in Subjects Over 50 Years of Age in Honduras
title_short Prevalence and Causes of Avoidable Blindness in Subjects Over 50 Years of Age in Honduras
title_sort prevalence and causes of avoidable blindness in subjects over 50 years of age in honduras
topic blindness
cataract
honduras
prevalence
url https://doi.org/10.18502/jovr.v17i2.10794
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