| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2013 | Volume
: 5
| Issue : 1 | Page : 9-16 |
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Rapid assessment of avoidable blindness in amran and lahj governorates of Yemen
Tawfik Kaid Al-Khatib1, Adnan Ali Ahmed2, Aziz Shaher Hameed3
1 Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sana'a University; Department of Ophthalmology ,Al-Thawrah Modern General Hospital; Department of Ophthalmology ,Al- Kuwait University Hospital Sana'a, Sana'a, Yemen
2 Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sana'a University; Department of Ophthalmology ,Al- Kuwait University Hospital Sana'a, Sana'a, Yemen
3 Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sana'a University; Department of Ophthalmology ,Al-Thawrah Modern General Hospital, Sana'a, Yemen
Correspondence Address:
Tawfik Kaid Al-Khatib
Sana'a University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences; P.O. Box: 13264 Sana'a
Yemen
 Source of Support: This study was supported by WHO, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/1858-540X.118640
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Objectives: To determine the magnitude and causes of avoidable blindness in 50 years and older population of Amran and Lahj governorates, Yemen. Materials and Methods: Using the RAAB manual, 78 clusters were randomly selected, 50 people aged of 50 ≥50 years were examined in each cluster. Visual acuity (VA) was measured with a tumbling "E" chart. Ophthalmologists examined people with <6/18 in either eye. A software program for RAAB was used for data collection and analysis. Results: In Amran and Lahj, 1789 (91.8%) and 1836 (94.3%) people were examined, respectively. The prevalence of blindness (VA < 3/60 in better eye, with available correction) in Amran was 9.33%, while in Lahj it was 10.84%. The principal cause of blindness was unoperated cataract in both governorates. The three main barriers to cataract surgery were unaware of treatment, destiny /God's will and cannot afford in both Amran and Lahj governorates. Conclusion: The prevalence of blindness, severe visual impairment and visual impairment in people aged ≥50 years in Amran and Lahj governorates were relatively higher than WHO's estimate in the sub region and the principal cause of blindness was untreated cataract in both governorates. |
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