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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Results of a rapid assessment of avoidable blindness (RAAB) in Eritrea
Ophthalmic Epidemiology, Volume 18, No. 3, Year 2011
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Description
Purpose: To collect baseline data for planning of the National Blindness Prevention & Control Program and for monitoring future achievements. Methods: Sixty six clusters of 50 people were selected from a sampling frame that included all 2,593 villages in Eritrea (population 3.56 million). Within each selected village, 50 eligible people aged 50+ years were selected. All eligible participants underwent visual acuity (VA) measurement followed by examination by an ophthalmologist if the presenting VA (PVA) was less than 6/18. Results: Three thousand one hundred sixty three of the 3300 eligible persons were examined (coverage 95.9%). The adjusted prevalence of blindness (PVA < 3/60 in the better eye) in the survey population was 7.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.2-8.8%), bilateral severe visual impairment (PVA < 6/60 to ≥ 3/60 in the better eye) 3.0% (95% CI: 2.3-3.7%) and of bilateral moderate visual impairment (PVA < 6/18 to ≥ 6/60 in the better eye) 10.5% (95% CI: 9.1-11.9%). Of all bilateral blindness 55% was due to cataract. The adjusted cataract surgical coverage (percentage of people requiring cataract surgery that have had surgery) was 68% for blind people and 41% for blind eyes. Cataract surgery outcome was poor (PVA < 6/60) in 39% of all eyes operated in the past. Conclusions: The prevalence of blindness was high compared to recent surveys in Africa. Visual outcome after cataract surgery potentially could be improved by more detailed pre-operative examination, coaching of surgeons, and provision of adequate optical correction, including routine monitoring of visual outcome after cataract surgery. The development of intervention programs for refractive error and glaucoma should be considered. © 2011 Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.
Authors & Co-Authors
Müller, Andreas
Australia, Sydney
Fred Hollows Foundation, Australia
Zerom, Mehari
Eritrea
Eritrea Ministry of Health
Limburg, Hans
Unknown Affiliation
Ghebrat, Yohannes
Eritrea, Asmara
Who Eritrea Country Office
Meresie, Ghenet
Ethiopia, Addis Ababa
Berhan Eyni Ophthalmic National Referral Hospitals
Fessahazion, Kahsai
Ethiopia, Addis Ababa
Berhan Eyni Ophthalmic National Referral Hospitals
Beyene, Kibret
Unknown Affiliation
Mathenge, Wanjiku Ciku
Australia, Sydney
Fred Hollows Foundation, Australia
Mebrahtu, Goitom
Eritrea
Eritrea Ministry of Health
Statistics
Citations: 39
Authors: 9
Affiliations: 5
Identifiers
Doi:
10.3109/09286586.2010.545932
ISSN:
09286586
e-ISSN:
17445086
Research Areas
Disability
Health System And Policy
Study Design
Randomised Control Trial
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Quantitative
Study Locations
Eritrea