Prevalence of cataract in the rural population of Sabzevar [2002-2004]

ABSTRACT

Cataract is the lens opacity which brings about vision disorders and is generally divided into four types congenital, traumatic, secondary and age-related. It is commonly a disease of middle-age and geriatric age and the main factor in low vision and blindness throughout the world. This study is intended to survey the prevalence of cataract in the rural population of Sabzevar in Iran. This research is a cross-sectional epidemiological descriptive study. 40 villages were selected through cluster sampling and the statistical population included all rural residents in 2002-2004 [1381-1383]. 2805 subjects [with the age range of 11 days to 92 years old] participated in the primary screening which consisted of tests of visual acuity, red reflex, retinoscopy and the examination of anterior segment via torch or ophthalmoscope. Subjects with visual disorders or defected red reflex were referred to ophthalmologist for complete examinations. Mean age for 1014 male [40.5%] and 1494 female [59.5%] were 27.84 +/- 22.07 and 27.90 +/- 19.05 years respectively. The overall prevalence of cataract was 6% [confidence interval 95%]. Its prevalence in men and women were 7.8% and 4.8% respectively. Regarding the limited number of similar epidemiological studies in Iran, further studies can be helpful in estimating the magnitude of cataract and visual disorders due to cataract in the rural population since estimating the magnitude of this controllable disease can be of considerable personal, social and economical advantages