The prevalence of cataract by vision screening in a Belgium nursing home residents in 2021

Abstract

AbstractPurpose: With an ageing population that continues to grow, and 13.6% of the population aged 65 or over receive long term formal care, 8.5% residing in Elderly homes in Belgium. We aim to map prevalence of visual impairement, and blindness caused by cataract, and refractive errors in a nursing home in Belgium.Methods: Between 07/04/2021 and 09/05/2021, 170 residents of a nursing home in Flanders were examined. Detailed medical and family history, complete ophthalmological examination including visual acuity, slit lamp examination of the anterior segment of the eye, measurement of intraocular pressure, eye fundoscopy and OCT (not in all of them) was performed.Results: Visual acuity of 146 residents (88%) of 170 residents of elderly home, 111 (65.29%) women and 59 (34.70%) men was determined. Mean age of the residents was 81.54 (±10.89) years. Of all participants, 8 (4.70%) were blind and 63 (37.06%) were moderately or severely visually impaired. In 24 residents (14.12%), visual acuity could not be determined. The prevalence of cataracts, secondary cataract and previous cataract surgery in the 170 residents was: respectively 102(60.00%), 27 (15.88%) and 36 (21.80%).In the 102 residents with cataracts, secondary cataracts and operated of cataract were respectively 90 (52.94%), 15 (%) and 32 (%) bilateral and 12 (%), 12 (7.06%) and 4 (%) unilateral.Conclusions: Many elderlies in these nursing home have poor access to Eyecare, because of their immobility. This might lead to vision impairment and blindness, affecting their social life and quality of life. An ophthalmological examination and treatment can be useful to avoid progressive visual impairment and eventually blindness.Author Javdani Sanatgar Moghaddam Zahra, MD, (Presenting Author) irisjavdani@yahoo.frOther Authors.Prof Robert Kuijpers robert.kuijpers@uzbrussel.beDr Frank Goes frank@goes.be