Overcoming the challenges of cataract blindness in Nigeria: An action plan for ophthalmologists

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the eye care provider factors responsible for low cataract surgical rates (CSRs) in Nigeria and to develop an action plan to boost the CSR. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of ophthalmologists practicing in Nigeria. An online questionnaire was distributed via E-mail and social media platforms to respondents. Data collected included sociodemographic characteristics, type, and location of the eye hospital where respondents practiced, cataract surgeries performed monthly, frequency and type of outreach activities by the eye hospitals, barriers to uptake of cataract surgery at the hospitals, and suggestions on measures to overcome such barriers. Statistical analysis was done using IBM-SPSS version 20, and the level of significance was P < 0.05. Results: A total of 201 ophthalmologists responded to the survey. Majority (88.0%) were practicing in university or government hospitals while only 8 (4.0%) were working in mission hospitals. The average monthly cataract surgeries performed per hospital ranged from 0 to 600, with a median of 30 surgeries. Mission hospitals were more likely to perform ≥50 cataract surgeries per month compared to other hospitals (P = 0.003). Majority (75.1%) of hospitals organized outreach activities to identify cataract patients. Higher frequency of outreach activities (P = 0.028) and combining surgery with screening (P = 0.036) were associated with a higher likelihood that the cataract patients that were identified received surgery. Conclusion: The conduct of frequent outreach activities in which eye screening and cataract surgery are combined should boost CSRs and reduce the burden of cataract blindness in Nigeria.