Cataract surgical rate in Yemen

ABSTRACT

To estimate cataract surgical rate [CSR] in 2003 in the 20 Governorates of Yemen in order to identify their needs to reduce cataract related blindness. To estimate the cataract surgical rate in 2003, a standardized questionnaire was sent to the 162 eye units in governmental, university military and private clinics and hospitals. The response rate to the survey was 96.9 percent and the data are summarized. During the 12-month period, a total of 31,258 cataract surgeries were performed by 203 ophthalmology specialists and residents. The cataract surgical rate was 1,560 operations per million inhabitants per year. Intraocular lens implantation was performed on 71.6 percent of the cases. There is a need to increase the cataract surgical rate in Yemen mainly in rural areas. Inadequate number of eye surgeons, limited accessibility of cataract surgical services in rural areas and the affordability of surgery to large sections of society are major constraints that has to be addressed. The information from this study will also enable Ministry of Health to more equitably disperse trained ophthalmic personnel