Abstract
BackgroundThis paper reports population-based data on the prevalence and causes of visual impairment among children and adults in Botucatu, Brazil.MethodsA population-based cross-sectional study was conducted involving a random start point and then systematic sampling of an urban Brazilian population in the city of Botucatu. There were approximately 3 300 individuals aged 1 to 91 years who were eligible to participate in the study. Of this sample, 2485 (75.3%) underwent ophthalmic examination. The ophthalmic examination included uncorrected (presenting) and best corrected distance visual acuity using standardized protocols. The primary cause of decreased visual acuity was identified for all patients with visual impairment.ResultsPresenting low vision and presenting blindness were found in 5.2% (95% CI: 4.3–6.1) and 2.2% (95% CI: 1.6–2.8) of the population, respectively. Unilateral presenting low vision and unilateral presenting blindness were found in 8.3% (95% CI: 7.2–9.5) and 3.7% (95% CI: 2.9–4.4) of the population respectively. Best corrected low vision was found in 1.3% of the population (95% CI: 0.9–1.7) and best corrected blindness was discovered in 0.4% of people (95% CI: 0.2–0.7). The main cause of presenting low vision was refractive error (72.3%) and cataract was the most prevalent cause of blindness (50%).ConclusionThe main causes of low vision and blindness in this Brazilian city were uncorrected refractive errors, cataract, and retinal diseases. Programs to further reduce the burden of visual impairment need to be targeted toward the correction of refractive error and surgery for cataracts.
Highlights
This paper reports population-based data on the prevalence and causes of visual impairment among children and adults in Botucatu, Brazil
There was an assumed sample of 3 300 subjects eligible to participate, of whom 2485 (75.3%; 95% confidence intervals (CIs) 73.8–76.7) had ophthalmic examinations
Blindness according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria was identified in 10 subjects and low vision in 32 subjects
Summary
This paper reports population-based data on the prevalence and causes of visual impairment among children and adults in Botucatu, Brazil. The burden of blindness is severe in South-East Asia and India; in countries such as Brazil, the prevalence of blindness is estimated to be 1.3% of those over the age of 50 years [2]. This represents a significant burden to those who are affected, but it represents a large social and economic cost to the State [4]. There is some evidence from retrospective data that the leading causes of visual impairment in Brazil are uncorrected refractive error and cataract, closely followed by agerelated macular degeneration and glaucoma [5]
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