Prevalence and Risk Factors of Refractive Errors and Effective Spectacle Coverage in Emiratis and Non-Emiratis Aged 40 Years or Older: the Dubai Eye Health Survey.

PURPOSE: The aim was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of refractive errors (REs) and the effective spectacle coverage in Emiratis and non-Emiratis in Dubai. DESIGN: The Dubai Eye Health Survey was a population-based cross-sectional study of participants aged 40 years or older. METHODS: Distance and near visual acuity (VA), and noncycloplegic automated refraction were tested according to a standardized protocol. Distance VA was tested using the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) logMAR chart at 3 m and near VA was measured using the near vision logMAR chart at 40 cm under ambient lighting. Myopia was defined as spherical equivalent of refraction of less than -0.50 diopters (D), and hypermetropia as spherical equivalent of more than +0.50 D. Astigmatism was defined as cylinder power of 0.5 D or greater. Effective spectacle coverage for distance vision was computed as met need/(met need+unmet need+under-met need)×100%. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine associations between sociodemographic factors and RE. RESULTS: The authors included 892 participants (446 Emiratis and 446 non-Emiratis) in the analysis. The prevalence of hypermetropia was 20.4% [95% confidence interval (CI): 16.8%-24.4%] in Emiratis and 20.6% (95% CI: 20.0%-24.7%) in non-Emiratis. The prevalence of myopia and high myopia was 27.4% (95% CI: 23.3%-31.7%) and 1.8% (95% CI: 0.8%-3.5%) in Emiratis, and 19.5% (95% CI: 15.9%-23.5%) and 0.9% (95% CI: 0.2%-2.3%) in non-Emiratis, respectively. High education (P=0.02) and not currently working (P=0.002) were risk factors of myopia in non-Emiratis only. The prevalence of astigmatism was 7.4% (95% CI: 5.1%-10.2%) in Emiratis and 1.6% (95% CI: 0.6%-3.2%) in non-Emiratis. This prevalence was higher in individuals aged over 60 years (P<0.001) and men (P=0.014) among Emiratis. The prevalence of anisometropia and uncorrected presbyopia was 11.4% (95% CI: 8.6%-14.8%) and 0.7% (95% CI: 0.1%-2.0%) in Emiratis, and 9.2% (95% CI: 6.7%-12.3%) and 0.4% (95% CI: 0.05%-1.6%) in non-Emiratis, respectively. The effective spectacle coverage was 62.3% (95% CI: 54.0%-70.6%) and 69% (95% CI: 60.5%-77.5%) in Emiratis and non-Emiratis, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of Emiratis and non-Emiratis was affected by RE without optimal effective spectacle coverage, highlighting the imperativeness of intervention to alleviate the burden. The findings may help facilitate evidence-based policymaking concerning the delivery of eye care services and allocation of medical resources in Dubai.

The economic impacts of cataract surgery on sustainable vision and quality of life in Katsina state.

Background: This study investigates the economic impacts of eye care interventions on the quality of life in Katsina state. Eye care intervention is a requirement for equitable and inclusive development in the state. Methods: The study used a survey method and 5-point Likert scale questionnaire to collect data. A multistage sampling strategy was employed to select 300 beneficiaries from the existing beneficiaries of Noor Dubai Foundation (NDF) eye care interventions. Results: The findings show that cataract surgery interventions improve economic benefits and quality of life of beneficiaries in Katsina state. The results show that productivity, income, employability, dignity and skills of beneficiaries have improved significantly after the cataract surgery. Precisely, 96.2% of the beneficiaries agree that their productivity has improved; 99.6% of the beneficiaries revealed that their income has improved; 99% of respondents evidence that their employability has improved; 90% of beneficiaries have experienced an improvement in their dignity; while 97% agreed that their skills have improved. Conclusion: The implication of these findings is that poor eye health is negatively related to economic benefits and quality of life while good eye health is a vital determinant of standard of living. Without good eye health, it is hard to participate in the labour force, produce goods and earn income. Thus, the Katsina state government should further improve awareness of good eye health to mitigate preventable cases of blindness for equitable and inclusive development.

Prevalence, Causes, and Risk Factors of Visual Impairment in Emiratis and Non-Emiratis of Dubai: A Subnational Population-Based Cross-Sectional Survey.

Purpose: To study the prevalence, causes, and risk factors of visual impairment (VI) among the Dubai Emiratis and non-Emiratis. Methods: The survey was a population-based cross-sectional eye health study conducted 2019-2020. Cluster sampling was used to randomly select local (Emirati) and expatriate (non-Emirati) Dubai residents aged 40 years and older. Ocular examinations were conducted in selected eye clinics to determine the visual acuity (VA) and cause(s) of VI if any. Trained nurses, optometrists, and ophthalmologists did the examinations. VA was measured using ETDRS visual chart. The World Health Organization VI and blindness definitions and classifications for the cause(s) of VI were used. Results: A total of 892 participants were included in the final analysis. The mean age [SD] was 52.09 [9.48] years, with 55.8% as males. Prevalence of presenting mild, moderate, and severe VI was 4.7% (2.94-7.11%), 1.8% (0.78-3.5%), and 0% for Emiratis, and 3.6% (2.06-5.76), 1.6% (0.63-3.21), and 0% for non-Emiratis, respectively. Four Emirati participants were blind, with a prevalence of 0.9% (0.25%-2.28%). Men had lower likelihood of VI than women (odds ratio [OR] (95% CI): 0.42 (0.24-0.77)) after adjustment for covariates. Diabetes (OR (95% CI): 1.91 (1.04-3.52)) was an independent risk factor for VI. Higher education level was associated with a lower likelihood of VI (OR (95% CI): 0.34 (0.13-0.89). Leading causes of VI among Emiratis were uncorrected refractive error (52%) and cataract (17.2%). Glaucoma, optic atrophy, and absent globe were the causes of blindness. Conclusions: Prevalence of VI is comparably low with leading causes readily treatable. An effective strategy to improve spectacle correction and cataract services would reduce the VI burden.

Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetic Retinopathy in Persons 50 Years and Above in Katsina State Nigeria: A Population-based Cross-sectional Survey.

PURPOSE: To estimate the prevalence and magnitude of diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy among people with diabetes mellitus in Katsina State. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study of persons aged 50 years and over in Katsina State Nigeria based on the rapid assessment of avoidable blindness survey plus diabetic retinopathy methodology. The study was conducted in November and December 2018. RESULTS: A total of 2,653 of the 2,807 (94.5%) enrolled persons were examined. The unadjusted prevalence of diabetes was 3.3% (95% CI: 2.7-4.1) with females having higher risk of having diabetes than males (OR 1.04; (95% CI 1.00-1.07; P = .03). The age-sex adjusted magnitude of diabetes mellitus is 15,492 persons in the study population, but 60% of the people are unaware of their disease status. The proportion of people with diabetes mellitus and any retinopathy is 26.2% (95%CI: 14.4-31.6); 15.8% in males and 35.7% in females. The proportion of people with diabetes mellitus with any maculopathy is 12.5% (95% CI: 6.9 - 21.5). The proportion of people with diabetes mellitus having any retinopathy and/or maculopathy is 26.2% while that of a sight-threatening lesion is 7.5%. CONCLUSION: The burden of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy in the population is lower than national average and elsewhere. However, there is still need to establish a simple cost-effective diabetic retinopathy service for the population as the burden of the problem will only increase with time.