Moderate To Severe Vision Impairment Research Articles

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Cataract, Cataract Surgery and Postoperative Outcome in an Old Population in Russia: The Ural Very Old Study

PurposeTo assess prevalence of cataract and cataract surgery in a very old population in Russia. DesignPopulation-based study. ParticipantsThe Ural Very Old Study included 1526 (81.1%) participants out of 1882 eligible individuals aged 85+ years. MethodsBased on anterior and posterior segment imaging, we assessed the prevalence of cataract, cataract surgery and other ocular disorders affecting best corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Main outcome measuresPrevalence of cataract and cataract surgery. ResultsThe study included 1163 (76.3%) individuals with lens information. Cataract surgery had been performed in 469 right eyes (41.0%;95%CI:38.1,43.9) (92.1% with posterior chamber IOL; 4.7% with multifocal IOL) and 479 left eyes (41.6%;95%CI:38.7,44.4) (92.7% with posterior chamber IOL; 4.2% with multifocal IOL). Among the 1163 study participants, 610 (52.5%) individuals had undergone cataract surgery in at least one eye. Higher prevalence of previous cataract surgery correlated (multivariable analysis) with lower IOP (OR:0.92;95%CI:0.88,0.95;P<0.001), glaucomatous optic nerve damage stage (OR:1.20;95%CI:1.05,1.36;P=0.006), and better visual acuity (OR:0.67;95%CI:0.51,0.89;P=0.005). Postoperative BCVA (mean:0.83±1.43logMAR) was reduced to moderate-to-severe vision impairment (MSVI) in 202 eyes (44.6%;95%CI:40.0,49.2) and to blindness in 53 eyes (11.7%;95%CI:8.7,14.7). Causes of postoperative MSVI were age-related macular degeneration (AMD) (34.2%), glaucoma (13.9%), and secondary cataract (5.4%). Causes for blindness were AMD (24.5%), glaucoma (18.9%), corneal opacifications (15.8%) and myopic macular degeneration (11.3%). YAG-laser capsulotomy had been performed in 6 (1.3%) out 469 right eyes after cataract surgery and in 12 (2.5%) out of 479 left eyes after cataract surgery. Prevalence of nuclear cataract and cortical cataract was 604/671 (90.0% in phakic eyes 51.9% in the whole study population) and 97.9% eyes (48.4% in total study population). Cataract caused bilateral MSVI and blindness in 28.2% (95%CI:25.6,30) and 2.9% (95%CI:1.9,3.9), respectively, of all study participants. ConclusionsDespite a relatively high prevalence of cataract surgery, this multiethnic cohort aged 85+ years from Russia showed a high prevalence of cataract-related MSVI and blindness, due to the old age of the participants. After cataract surgery, main causes for MSVI (prevalence:44.6%) and blindness (prevalence:11.7%) were AMD, glaucoma, corneal opacifications, and myopic macular degeneration. Almost all individuals aged 85+ years need cataract surgery, despite limited chance of postoperative good vision.

Colombian Ocular Diseases Epidemiology Study (CODES): Prevalence Incidence, and Sociodemographic Characterization of Vision Impairment (2015–2019), A Nationwide Study

ABSTRACT Purpose To describe the prevalence, incidence, and sociodemographic characterization of moderate to severe vision impairment (MSVI) and blindness in Colombia based on the National Health Registry Integrated Social Protection Information System (SISPRO) Database. Methods We performed a nationwide population-based study using SISPRO and the International Classification of Diseases. Total and new cases were identified to calculate the prevalence and incidence per 100,000 inhabitants of MSVI and blindness between 2015 and 2019. Blindness was defined as a best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of less than 20/400 in the better-seeing eye. Meanwhile, MSVI is a BCVA from 20/70 to equal or better than 20/400 in the better-seeing eye. An ANOVA test was performed to identify age differences. A conditional autoregressive model was also employed to depict standardized morbidity rate maps. Results From the 50 million inhabitants, the average prevalence and incidence of MSVI were 13.94 and 13.34 between 2015 and 2019, respectively, while for blindness, they were 4.03 and 3.53. Females accounted for most reported cases, and there was a notable shift towards individuals over 50 years (p < 0.001). Valle del Cauca was the region with the most cases reported and the greatest disease burden. Conclusion This is the first nationwide population-based study describing the prevalence, incidence, and sociodemographic characterization of blindness and MSVI in Colombia. In recent years, there has been an increased number of cases, prevalence, and incidence, with females over 50 particularly affected. This research provides insight into the country’s vision impairment epidemiology landscape and contributes to formulating public health policies to improve eye health care.

The comparative benefits of text and page modification on the reading rates between sighted and moderate to severe visually impaired eyes

Reading with a magnifier is relatively slow for persons with moderate to severe visual impairment (MSVI). This study sought to investigate the effect of the page and text modifications such as page length reduction and introduction of guidelines in between sentences known to significantly improve the reading rate of persons with normal vision on the reading rate of persons with MSVI who use an optical aid for reading. A quasi-experimental study design was used to determine text and page modifications on the reading rate of sighted persons and moderate to severe visually impaired eyes. Modifications made to the reading materials included reducing the length of sentences on the pages, introducing guidelines in between the sentences, and a combination of both reducing the page length and introducing guidelines between the sentences. The reading rate of participants was calculated based on the time taken to complete the various reading tasks. The tasks were grouped into spot and fluent reading tasks. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). There were 19 visually impaired participants representing 34% of the total population recruited for the study. For spot reading, MSVI group achieved a 10-point significant improvement in their reading rate when alternating-colored guidelines were combined with reduced page length. The modifications did not significantly improve the fluent reading rate of the MSVI group. For both spot and fluent reading, introducing guidelines and reducing sentence length potentially provide a way to improve the reading rate of the visually impaired people who use an optical aid for reading. The practical implications of these results should be investigated in people with MSVI who use different optical aids for reading.

Prevalence and Cause of Loss of Visual Acuity and Visual Field in Highly Myopic Eyes: The Beijing Eye Study

To explore prevalence and causes of loss of visual acuity and visual field in highly myopic eyes. Population-based study. The participants (n=4439) of the Beijing Eye Study underwent an ophthalmological and systemic examination including frequency doubling technology perimetry (FDT). High myopia was defined by a refractive error of ≤-6Dpt or axial length >26.0 mm. Prevalence of vision impairment causes. The study included 212 highly myopic eyes (154 participants;mean age:56.2±9.6 years;refractive error:-9.87±3.70 Dpt;range:-20.87 to -6.00Dpt; axial length:27.2±1.3mm;range:26.01-30.88mm). Moderate/severe vision impairment (MSVI) (best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from <6/18 to 3/60) and blindness (BCVA <3/60 or <10° visual field around central fixation) was present in 40/212 (18.9%;95%CI:13.6,24.2) eyes, and in 10/212 (4.7%;95%CI:1.8, 7.6) eyes, respectively. BCVA decreased with more myopic refractive error (beta:-0.55;B:-0.08;95%CI:-0.09,-0.06;P<0.001). Primary (i.e., most influential) causes for MSVI and blindness were myopic macular degeneration (MMD) (29/50;58%), age-related macular degeneration (1/50;2%), and branch macular retinal vein occlusion (1/50;2%). Secondary causes were MMD (4/50;8%) and optic nerve atrophy (14/50 (28%), differentiated into a non-glaucomatous type (NGOA) (9/50;18%) and glaucomatous type (GOA) (5/50;10%). Prevalence of MMD as vision impairment cause (mean:40/212 (18.9%;95%CI:13.6,24.2) increased from 1/61 (1.6%;95%CI:0.00,4.9) in the group of -6.00 to ≥-7.00Dpt, to 16/25 (64.0%;95%CI:43.8,84.2) in the group of <-15.0Dpt. Higher MMD prevalence correlated with higher myopic refractive error (OR:0.70;95%CI:0.61;0.81;P<0.001) and higher prevalence of concomitant optic neuropathy (OR:86.2;95%CI:16.1,463;P<0.001). Optic neuropathy prevalence as cause of vision impairment (mean:19/212;9.0%;95%CI:5.0,13.0) increased from 0/61 (0%) in the refractive error group of -6.00Dpt to ≥-7.00Dpt, to 9/25 (36.0%;95%CI:16.0,56.0) in the group of <-15.0Dpt. Higher optic neuropathy prevalence correlated with more myopic refractive error (P<0.001) and older age (P=0.02). GOA prevalence (mean:6/212;2.8%;95%CI:1.0,5.0) and NGOA prevalence (mean:13/212 (6.1%;95%CI:3.0,9.0) increased from 0/61 (0%) in the group of -6.00 to ≥-7.00Dpt, to 4/25 (16.0%;95%CI:1.0,31.0) and 5/25 (20%;95%CI:3.0,37.0), respectively, in the group of <-15.0Dpt. In this population-based recruited, highly myopic cohort, prevalence of optic neuropathy (9.0%) as vision impairment cause was lower than MMD prevalence (18.9%), and it was an important reason for vision impairment in the group of <-15Dpt. MMD was vision impairment cause in 16/25 (64.0%) eyes with <-15.0Dpt refractive error.

Estimating the costs of blindness and moderate to severe visual impairment among people with diabetes in India

ObjectivesThis study provides an estimate of the annual cost of blindness and moderate to severe visual impairment (MSVI) among people with diabetes aged 40 years and above in India in...

Incidence and Risk Factors of Visual Impairment in Patients with Angioid Streaks and Macular Neovascularization

To estimate the incidence and risk factors of visual impairment and complications in eyes with macular neovascularization (MNV) because of angioid streaks (ASs). Longitudinal multicenter retrospective cohort study. Patients with AS-associated MNV treated with anti-VEGF agents and a follow-up of > 3 months. Clinical and MNV characteristics were collected at baseline. Visual acuity (VA) values and the presence of atrophy or fibrosis were collected at each visit. Rate of VA change over time and associated factors; the incidence rate of moderate-to-severe visual impairment (MSVI) and blindness and hazard ratio (HR) of candidate risk factors for MSVI; the incidence rate of fibrosis and macular atrophy. Overall, 84 eyes of 66 patients (39 men, 58%) with a mean (standard deviation) age of 55.7 (13.8) years were followed for a mean (standard deviation) of 67.7 (48.5) months. The median number of anti-VEGF doses per eye was 13. The average rate (95% confidence interval [CI]) of visual loss was+0.04 (0.02-0.06) logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution/year (P < 0.001); the visual loss was faster in nonnaive eyes (P= 0.007) and those with better baseline VA (P < 0.001); it was slower in eyes with pattern dystrophy-like features (P= 0.04). The incidence rates (95% CI) of MSVI and blindness were 10.4 (6.88-15)/100-eye-years and 2.33 (1.12-4.29)/100-eye-years. A higher number of injections (HR [95% CI]= 0.45 [0.19-0.94] for receiving ≥ 13 injections vs. < 13; P= 0.03) was protective against MSVI. The incidence rates (95% CI) of fibrosis and macular atrophy were 24.1 (17.5-32.3)/100-eye-years and 14.3 (10.1-19.6)/100-eye-years. Eyes with MNV-related AS had a high rate of visual impairment and propensity to macular fibrosis and atrophy. A higher number of injections yielded better chances of maintaining good VA, suggesting the need for intensive treatment. Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Associations between visual impairment, incident falls and fall frequency among older asians: longitudinal findings from the Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases study

BackgroundAssociation between baseline visual impairment (VI) bilaterality and severity, and associated causes; and incident and frequent falls at 6 years in a multiethnic Asian population aged ≥60 years.MethodsIt is a...

A Literature Survey on Vision Assistance System Based on Binocular Sensors for Visually Impaired Users

According to research, in 2015, there were an estimated 253 million people with visual impairment worldwide. Of these, 36 million were completely blind and a further 217 million had moderate to severe visual impairment (MSVI). This forms a considerable part of the population if you look at it. But the visually impaired still face a lot of difficulties in just going about their daily life. Most have to rely on the people around, on a basic walking cane or on a guide dog. This takes away a good part of their independence as they have to rely on someone for their basic needs. Many wearable technologies have been proposed to assist the visually impaired in their daily routines in order to solve this problem. This paper is an attempt to comprehend all of the past research done on the subject.

The longitudinal association between cognitive impairment and incident visual impairment in a multiethnic Asian population: a prospective cohort study.

The relationship between baseline cognitive impairment (CI) and incident visual impairment (VI) in Asians is unclear. To determine the associations between baseline CI with incident VI and visual acuity (VA) at 6-year follow-up in multiethnic Asians. Cohort. Population-based. Two thousand three hundred and twenty-four adults aged ≥60years from the Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases Study (response rate 64%). CI was defined using the validated Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT). VA was objectively measured using a LogMAR chart. Any incident VI was defined as having no VI (Snellen's VA better than or equal to 20/40) at baseline but present (VA worse than 20/40) at 6-year follow-up. VI severity was defined according to the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision. Associations were assessed using logistic and linear regression models. Of the 2,324 participants, 248 had CI at baseline. Presence of baseline CI was associated with more than twice the odds of any incident VI, incident mild and moderate-severe VI (OR [95% confidence interval]: 2.48 [1.55-3.90], 2.07 [1.17-3.55], and 2.61 [1.36-4.93], respectively) and worse VA (β [95% confidence interval]: 0.026 [0.006-0.046]) at 6-year follow-up. The leading causes of incident VI were cataract and under-corrected refractive error. Older adults with CI had more than double the odds of VI development and poorer VA than their cognitively intact counterparts, and most causes of incident VI were correctable. Strategies such as targeted vision screening and early intervention for early detection and management of vision loss in patients with cognitive decline are warranted.

Incidence, causes and risk factors of vision loss in rural Southern China: 6-year follow-up of the Yangxi Eye Study

PurposeTo report the 6-year incidence, causes and risk factors for vision loss (visual impairment (VI) and blindness), among elderly adults in rural southern China.MethodsPopulation-based, cohort study. Initiated in 2014, the...

Concurrent vision and hearing impairment associated with cognitive dysfunction in a population aged 85+ years: the Ural Very Old Study

ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence of vision impairment, hearing impairment and dual sensory impairment (DSI) as combination of vision and hearing impairment, in association with cognitive dysfunction in a population aged...

Childhood Blindness and Visual Impairment in a Local Government Area in North-Central Nigeria: A Key Informant Survey.

To use the Key Informant survey to estimate the magnitude and to identify the major causes of blindness and severe visual impairment in children of Nassarawa Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Twenty-eight trained Key Informants traced and referred children believed to be blind or visually impaired. Biodata record, history and eye examination were based on the operational definitions in the WHO/PBL coding instruction manual for childhood blindness. Data were entered and analyzed in the WHO/PBL Childhood Blindness Software (CBS) V 1.2.75 by an ophthalmologist and a statistician. The Key Informants identified 51 children of which 50 (98%) were examined. Eight (16%) of the children examined were blind, another 8 (16%) had severe visual impairment, 16 (32%) were visually impaired, 7 (14%) had monocular blindness and 11 (22%) were normal. The estimated crude prevalence of childhood blindness was 0.01% and of moderate-severe visual impairment was 0.03%. The major causes of blindness and severe visual impairment were cataract, corneal opacity, and refractive errors. Ninety-four percent of the causes of blindness and moderate-severe visual impairment in children were avoidable. It was estimated that some 415 children in Nasarawa state are blind or have moderate to severe visual impairment. The estimated magnitude of blindness and visual impairment in Nassarawa Eggon LGA is 8 and 24 children respectively with a crude blindness prevalence of 0.01% (1 per 10,000). Cataract was the commonest cause of childhood blindness and severe visual impairment in Nassarawa Eggon local government area with 93.8% of the causes of blindness and visual impairment being avoidable.

Longitudinal association of midlife vision impairment and depressive symptoms: the study of Women's Health Across the Nation, Michigan site.

Poor vision affects physical health but the relationship with depressive symptoms among midlife adults (40-65 y), who often present with early stage vision impairment (VI), is not well understood. The goal of this study was to assess the impact of vision on depressive symptoms during midlife. The Michigan site of the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation conducted assessments of distance visual acuity at six consecutive, near-annual follow-up visits. At each visit, depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale) were assessed. VI was defined as mild (20/30-20/60) or moderate-severe (20/70 or worse). Multivariable logistic regression models using generalized estimating equations were used to assess the association of VI and reporting of depressive symptoms at the subsequent visit. At analytic baseline, the mean age of participants (N = 226) was 50.0 years (standard deviation = 2.6). More than half (53.5%) of women had mild VI and 8.0% had moderate-severe VI. Adjusting for age, preexisting depressive symptoms, race, education, economic strain, body mass index, and smoking, participants with mild and moderate-severe VI had 68% (95% C (0.97-2.90)) and 2.55-fold (95% CI 1.13-5.75) higher odds of reporting depressive symptoms at their subsequent study visit as compared with women without VI. Further adjustment for diabetes, hypertension, and osteoarthritis attenuated the estimates and the associations were no longer statistically significant. VI was associated with increased odds of future depressive symptoms among mid-life women. Timely detection and appropriate correction of VI may be important to consider in maintaining the mental health status of midlife women.

Two-year follow-up study in type 2 diabetic patients with mild visual impairment

Objective: To determine the 2-year visual prognosis in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients with mild visual impairment and identify the predictors factors. Method: This was a 2-year population-based cohort study. The study population consisted of 650 type 2 diabetic patients with bilateral mild visual impairment in 2014 who were followed up in 2016. The demographic information, systemic and ophthalmological examination results for each participant was collected. Mild visual impairment was defined as best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA)<20/25 to ≥20/63, moderate and severe visual impairment was defined as BCVA<20/63 to ≥20/400, blindness was defined as BCVA<20/400 following the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) 2002 definition. The two-year visual prognosis was divided into three groups: visual impairment regression, progression, and stable. Using chi-square test or independent t-test, the predictor factors of visual prognosis and the leading causes of visual impairment were studied. Results: 605 patients completed the follow-up in 2016. Among them, 477 were still bilateral mild visual impairment, accounting for 78.8% (477/605). The level of unilateral or bilateral visual impairment regressed in 8.1% (49/605), while progressed in 13.1% (79/605). Young age (t=2.7, P<0.05), short duration of diabetes (t=2.5, P<0.05), low blood glycemic hemoglobin (t=2.5, P<0.05) and total cholesterol (t=2.8, P<0.05) were associated with regression of visual impairment. Low levels of education (t=5.2, P<0.05), high blood glycemic hemoglobin (t=2.4, P<0.05) and total cholesterol (t=2.4, P<0.05)were associated with progression of visual impairment. Cataracts and diabetic retinopathy were the first and second cause of mild, moderate severe visual impairment or blindness. Conclusions: The percentage of 2-year visual acuity decline is relatively high in type 2 diabetic patients with mild visual impairment. We should strengthen blood glucose and cholesterol control to reduce the progress of visual impairment.(Chin J Ophthalmol, 2021, 57: 766-771).

A Systematic Review of the Proportion of Blindness in the Population 50 Years and Older from Total Population-Based Surveys of Blindness and Visual Impairment

ABSTRACT Purpose: Epidemiological data is essential for planning; however, all-age population-based surveys are resource intensive. Rapid Assessment of Cataract Surgical Services methodology was developed in India in 1995 and subsequently promoted by the World Health Organisation for use worldwide. The commonly used Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) evolved from this in 2005, constraining surveys to populations aged 50 or more based on the report ‘The Epidemiology of Blindness in Nepal’ (SEVA, 1988), where 78.7% of blindness occurred in people aged 50+. The purpose of this study is to examine whether more recent total-population-based surveys continue to find a similar proportion of blindness in the population aged 50+. Methods:A systematic literature review identified all population-based surveys of blindness published 1996–2017. Data extraction was undertaken by two independent researchers and compared. Results:The proportions of blindness (presenting visual acuity (PVA) <3/60) and moderate/severe visual impairment (MSVI) (PVA <6/18–3/60) from total population-based surveys in people aged 50+ ranged from 90% (Mali, 1996) to 45.8% (South Korea, 2015); the mean proportions across all surveys were 73.1% (95% CI, 60.4–85.8%) for blindness, and 73.8% (95% CI, 54.8–92.8) for MSVI. No trend over time or association with GDP was identified. Conclusion:This systematic literature review supports the rationale for constraining surveys to the population aged 50+ as this will greatly reduce sample size but still include a high proportion of total cases of blindness; paucity of total population-based surveys highlights the ongoing need for RAAB in service planning internationally.

Prevalence, Causes, and Factors Associated with Visual Impairment in a Chinese Elderly Population: The Rugao Longevity and Aging Study.

PurposeThis study aimed to explore the current prevalence, causes, and factors associated with visual impairment in a Chinese elderly population.MethodsA random sample of 2164 candidates aged ≥70 years was selected. Among them, 1914 participants (response rate: 88.4%) underwent comprehensive eye examinations. The prevalence and causes of visual impairment were estimated, and the associated factors were identified.ResultsThe standardized prevalence of mild visual impairment (<6/12 to ≥6/18), moderate to severe visual impairment (MSVI) (<6/18 to ≥3/60), and blindness (<3/60) in the better eye were 20.5%, 25.8%, and 3.4%, respectively. The leading cause of visual impairment was cataract (49.7%), followed by uncorrected refractive error (26.5%), myopic maculopathy (5.8%), and posterior capsular opacification (5.5%). Optical coherence tomography revealed that vitreoretinal interface abnormalities were the third most common cause of monocular mild visual impairment (2.2%) and MSVI (4.4%) in the elderly population. A large number of patients with visual impairment (81.7%) were amenable to undergo the interventions. Visual impairment was associated with advanced age (odds ratio [OR], 1.09 per year; p<0.001), female sex (OR, 1.59; p=0.003), self-reported visual impairment (OR, 1.91; p<0.001), cognitive impairment (OR, 1.40, p=0.005), and high educational level (OR, 0.75; primary, p=0.045; and OR, 0.53, secondary or higher; p<0.001).ConclusionVisual impairment was common in the Chinese elderly population and a severe health and social problem. Practicable policies are urgently needed to popularize eye health knowledge and promote treatments for visual impairment in elderly people in rural China.

Prevalence and Causes of Visual Impairment and Blindness in Three Ecological Regions of Nepal.

Visual impairment and blindness are significant public health issues worldwide. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and causes of moderate to severe visual impairment (MSVI) and blindness in people aged 15 years and above across three ecological regions of Nepal. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in one district in each of the three ecological regions of Nepal. Number of participants from each region was distributed as per the prevalence findings of pilot study, with 2815 participants enrolled in Dolakha, 1509 in Dhading and 910 in Sarlahi. Intensive training was provided to health workers on how to conduct door-to-door enumeration, visual acuity testing and referral when indicated for comprehensive ocular examination by technicians and ophthalmologists to diagnose and treat ocular morbidities. Collected data were analyzed using standard software. For categorical data, frequency, percentage and 95% CI were calculated and statistical tests were done using Chi-square/Fisher exact test. Altogether 5234 participants were enrolled in the study (participation rate 96.4%). The overall prevalence of MSVI was 9.5% (495). It was 4.7% (133) in the mountainous region, 11.2% (169) in the Hill and 21.2% (193) in the Tarai. In those aged 15-49 years, MSVI prevalence was 1.5% (52) and 25.1% (433) in ≥50 years. The overall prevalence of blindness was 0.9% (47). It was 0.2% (6) in 15-49 and 2.3% (41) in ≥50 age groups. More than 95% visual impairment and blindness were due to cataract and uncorrected refractive error. Cataract was the leading cause of visual impairment and blindness (290, 53.5%), followed by uncorrected refractive error. The prevalence of visual impairment and blindness varied significantly with age, ethnicity and locality. The management of uncorrected refractive error and operable cataract would reduce nine in ten cases of moderate to severe visual impairment and blindness.

Visual Morbidities among Patients at a Geriatric Center in Southwest Nigeria and the Merits of Designated Geriatric Health Care Centers Incorporating Eye Care Services.

: Visual morbidities increase the burden of care and negatively impact the quality of life of older people. Few empirical reports exist on the visual status of older Nigerians. This study describes the visual morbidities and determinants of visual impairment among persons aged 60 years and above who presented at a geriatric center in southwestern Nigeria and discusses the merits of focused geriatric care at a single location. Data were obtained from electronic health records and case files of 628 older patients (≥60 years) who attended the facility between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2018. Data extracted included, age, sex, married status, occupational status, visual acuity, eye diagnoses, eye medications, previous surgeries, and anthropometric measurements. Mean age of patients was 70.1 ± 7.4 years and 378 (60.2%) were females. Two out of every three patients had more than one visual diagnosis. Significantly, glaucoma (P < 0.001) and cataract (P = 0.01) were common among men, whereas dry eye syndrome (P < 0.001) and allergic conjunctivitis (P = 0.01) were common in women. Antiglaucoma medications (55.8%) were the commonest medications used and 21.0% had previous eye surgery. Assessment of presenting visual acuity demonstrated that 28.7% of patients had moderate-severe visual impairment (MSVI) in both eyes at presentation while 10.3% were bilaterally blind. Increasing age (P < 0.001) and male sex (P = 0.01) were the factors significantly associated with blindness. MSVI and blindness were common in our setting with glaucoma and cataract being the most prevalent associated diagnosis. Information obtained should stimulate advocacy for the prompt management of preventable causes of poor vision in older Nigerians.

COVID-19 and the Unfinished Agenda of VISION 2020

PurposeTo critically evaluate the potential impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on global ophthalmology and VISION 2020.DesignPerspective supplemented with epidemiologic insights from available online databases.MethodsWe extracted data from the Global Vision Database (2017) and Global Burden of Disease Study (2017) to highlight temporal trends in global blindness since 1990, and provide a narrative overview of how COVID-19 may derail progress toward the goals of VISION 2020.ResultsOver 2 decades of VISION 2020 advocacy and program implementation have culminated in a universal reduction of combined age-standardized prevalence of moderate-to-severe vision impairment (MSVI) across all world regions since 1990. Between 1990 and 2017, low-income countries observed large reductions in the age-standardized prevalence per 100,000 persons of vitamin A deficiency (25,155 to 19,187), undercorrected refractive disorders (2,286 to 2,040), cataract (1,846 to 1,690), onchocerciasis (5,577 to 2,871), trachoma (506 to 159), and leprosy (36 to 26). Despite these reductions, crude projections suggest that more than 700 million persons will experience MSVI or blindness by 2050, principally owing to our growing and ageing global population.ConclusionsDespite the many resounding successes of VISION 2020, the burden of global blindness and vision impairment is set to reach historic levels in the coming years. The impact of COVID-19, while yet to be fully determined, now threatens the hard-fought gains of global ophthalmology. The postpandemic years will require renewed effort and focus on vision advocacy and expanding eye care services worldwide.

Prevalence and associated factors of glaucoma in the Russian Ural Eye and Medical Study

To assess the prevalence and associated factors of glaucoma in a Russian population. The population-based Ural Eye and Medical Study included 5899 (mean age 59.0 ± 10.7 years; range 40–94 years). Glaucomatous optic neuropathy was diagnosed using International Society of Geographical and Epidemiological Ophthalmology (ISGEO) criteria. Among 5545 participants with assessable optic disc photographs, 246 individuals [4.4%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.9, 5.0] had glaucoma, with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) in 177 individuals (3.2%; 95% CI 2.7, 3.7) and angle-closure glaucoma (ACG) in 69 individuals (1.2; 95% CI 1.0, 1.5), with IOP > 21 mmHg in 79 (32.1%) patients, and with 80 (32.5%) patients on glaucoma therapy. Glaucoma prevalence increased from 3/485 (0.6%; 95% CI 0.0, 1.3) in the age group of 40–45 years to 33/165 (20.0%; 95% CI 13.8, 26.2) in the group aged 80 + years. Higher OAG prevalence correlated with older age [odds ratio (OR) 1.07; 95% CI 1.04, 1.09; P < 0.001], longer axial length (OR 1.36; 95% CI 1.17, 1.58; P < 0.001), higher intraocular pressure (IOP) (OR 1.18; 95% CI 1.13, 1.23; P < 0.001), higher stage of lens pseudoexfoliation (OR 1.26; 95% CI 1.08, 1.47; P = 0.004) and lower diastolic blood pressure (OR 0.98; 95% CI 0.96, 0.99; P = 0.035). Higher ACG prevalence correlated with older age (OR 1.07; 95% CI 1.03, 1.11; P < 0.001), narrower anterior chamber angle (OR 0.81; 95% CI 0.77, 0.86; P < 0.001), and higher IOP (OR 1.30; 95% CI 1.23, 1.38; P < 0.001). Glaucoma caused moderate to severe vision impairment (MSVI) in 9 (4.9%; 95% CI 1.8, 8.1) out of 184 individuals with MSVI (OAG, n = 7; ACG, n = 2), and blindness in one (9.1%) of 11 blind individuals. In this population from Russia, two thirds of glaucoma patients were not on therapy, and in two thirds of the glaucoma patients IOP was ≤ 21 mmHg. Otherwise, glaucoma prevalence, OAG-to-ACG ratio, and glaucoma associations did not differ markedly from Caucasian and East Asian populations.