ABSTRACT
We present the outcomes of a survey conducted in Nandurbar, a tribal district of Maharashtra, India. It was based on "Rapid Assessment for Avoidable Blindness" methodology and conducted in 2009 in Nandurbar, a tribal district of Maharashtra, India. We examined persons of 50 years and older ages. Ophthalmic assistants noted the distant vision [best corrected vision [BCV] and as presented]. Ophthalmologist examined eyes of persons with vision less than 6/18. The principal cause of impairment in each eye and the most "preventable" or "treatable" cause were assigned. We calculated the prevalence rates of bilateral blindness, severe visual impairment [SVI], and moderate visual impairment [MVI]. We examined 2,005/2,300 persons [response rate 87.2%]. The prevalence of blindness, SVI, and MVI for the BCV was 1.63% [95% CI 1.11-2.15], 5.93% [95% CI 4.96-6.90], and 14.6% [95% CI 13.2-16.1], respectively. The prevalence of blindness, SVI, and MVI for the presented vision was 1.87% [1.32-2.42], 6.72% [95% CI 5.70-7.74], and 19% [95% CI 17.4-20.6], respectively. Unoperated cataract was responsible for 77% of different visual disabilities. The coverage of existing cataract surgery service was 9.4%. Lack of knowledge about cataract surgery was the main cause of unoperated cataract among 41% of interviewed participants with cataract and SVI. Unoperated cataract was the main curable cause of visual disabilities in tribal population of India. Increasing awareness and offering cataract surgeries at affordable cost in the district would reduce visual disabilities
ABSTRACT
AIM: To calculate the direct cost of pediatric cataract surgery, from the provider's perspective.pediatric ophthalmology department of a comprehensive community eye care center in western India. Fixed costs included those of the building, interior decoration, outpatient department's equipment, operation theater equipment, personnel, administration and hospital maintenance. The consumable costs included materials used during surgery. Only direct costs were considered. Outpatient department consultation, Rs.606 ($15.53) for operation theater equipment use, and Rs. 2 427($62.23) for personnel. The consumable costs ranged from Rs.1 452 ($37.23) to 15 267 ($391.46), depending on the protocol used. The net average cost of pediatric cataract surgery ranged from Rs. 4 722 ($122) to Rs. 18 537 ($475) per eye. CONCLUSION: Cataract surgery is cost intensive for children with cataract. Pediatric ophthalmologists should decide about most cost effective standards of care to rationalize consumable cost.