Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness in Takeo Province, Cambodia

Abstract

Background: To estimate the prevalence and causes of blindness and vision impairment in people aged ≥ 50 years in Takeo province, Cambodia. Design/Methods: A population-based cross-sectional survey using the WHO RAAB protocol was conducted in 2012. 93 clusters of 50 people were selected through compact segment sampling. Visual acuity (VA) was measured with a tumbling “E” chart. Each eye was examined with a torch. For each eye with a presenting VA < 6/18 the main cause was determined. Results/Outcome: Of 4,650 eligible persons, 96.2% were examined. The age and sex adjusted prevalence of blindness (best-corrected VA < 3/60 in the better eye) was 2.75% (95% CI 2.24-3.26%). The prevalence of blindness in females was higher than in males (3.41% vs 1.73%). Main cause of blindness was cataract (81.8%). Cataract surgical coverage was64.2% for VA < 3/60 (females 59.5%, males77.9%). The most important barrier for cataract surgery for blindness were “cannot afford” (32.9%), “no company” (17.1%) and “fear of surgery” (13.7%). VA with best correction in eyes operated on cataract Conclusion: The prevalence of blindness is still high and more effort is needed to reduce the higher burden of female blindness. The result of cataract surgical outcome for those operated less than 5 years ago was better than estimations from similar surveys in the Western-Pacific region.