Lid surgery for trachomatous trichiasis is negatively associated with visual disabilities and visual impairment in Oman

Oman is at the threshold of eliminating blinding trachoma. We conducted a community-based survey in 2009-10 to study the association of trachomatous trichiasis [TT] status with visual acuity and blindness among the Omani population aged 40+ years. A total of 8191 eyes were examined and participants' demographic data were collected. TT was absent in 7890 eyes but 227 of these eyes had had lid surgery for TT in the past. TT was detected in 301 eyes, for the first time in 154 eyes and following lid surgery in 147 eyes. The rate of blindness was significantly lower in eyes that had undergone lid surgery in the past [OR = 0.54]. In regression analysis the predictors of blindness were participant's age [adjusted OR = 1.01], sex [aOR = 2.01], history of lid surgery [aOR = 3.09] and residence in a hyperendemic trachoma area [aOR = 10.6]. Promotion of TT surgery might be beneficial in reducing blindness

National Register for the Blind: a tool for health programme management

We carried out a retrospective analytical study of 3525 bilaterally blind people registered in Oman to the end of 2000. We described the examination method, maintenance of the register and analysis of data. Lists of different categories of blind people were distributed to various organizations for management and rehabilitation purposes. The role of the national register in addressing blinding cataract, corneal blindness, eradication of congenital rubella syndrome and care of blind people in Oman was also examined. The register was useful in identifying candidates for rehabilitation and also for monitoring regional efforts to manage curable blindness. This multiple use of the register could make it an important tool for health programme management in Oman

Validity of vision screening by school nurses in seven regions of Oman

We tested the validity of vision screening in schools in 7 regions of Oman in 2003.Two researchers tested 1719 randomly selected students in 4 school grades using the Snellen E acuity test. Trained school nurses had previously screened 182 233 students. The visual status recorded in the 2 screenings was compared. Sensitivity of screening by nurses was 68.34% [95% CI: 67.30-69.38] and specificity 99.23% [95% CI: 99.19-99.27]. The positive predictive value was 85.42% [95% CI: 84.63-86.21] and negative predictive value was 97.93% [95% CI: 97.87-98.00].The sensitivity of the vision test was significantly higher in females, older students and in North Sharqiya region. In general, the vision screening of school students in Oman has satisfactory validity. Periodic training of nurses and supervision of the screening procedures could improve its sensitivity. Underlying causes of the high numbers of false negative cases should be further investigated