Ocular Morbidities Among Elderly In Rural Area Of Belagavi – A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

BACKGOUND AND OBJECTIVES: Blindness and visual impairment by its sheer magnitude forms an enormous problem, not only in human suffering, but also in terms of economical loss and social burden. Globally, 285 million people are visually impaired. The preventable causes are as high as 80% of the total global burden and are mainly seen in developing countries. Of the blind people in India, 82% are above the age of 50 years and around two thirds live in villages. With introduction of universal eye health: a global action plan 2014–2019, dealing with reduction in avoidable blindness across the world, this study would help in enlightening the present scenario in this region. So the present study was conducted among elderly in rural area of Belagavi with the objectives to know the prevalence of ocular morbidities and their socio demographic determinants. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The present community based cross sectional study was conducted among individuals aged 60 years and above residing in the area covered under Vantamuri Primary Health Centre, Belagavi from 1st January to 31st December 2016. A sample size of 620 was calculated and obtained by population proportionate sampling from five subcentres under Vantamuri Primary Health Centre. Data was collected from the study subject regarding socio-demographic variables and personal history. Detailed ocular examination was carried out, which included external eye examination using torch, visual acuity examination, confrontation test and fundus examination using ophthalmoscope. With the help of predesigned and pretested questionnaire elderly individuals were interviewed face to face and data collection was done by house to house visit, after taking informed consent. Ethical clearance was obtained from Institutional Ethics Committee. RESULTS: The prevalence of ocular morbidities among elderly in rural area was 60.64%. Mean number of ocular morbidities per person was 1.78 + 1.05. Prevalence of visual impairment and blindness among elderly was 28.07% and 2.90% respectively. Major causes for ocular morbidities were cataract, refractive error, retinopathies and glaucoma. Ocular morbidity was significantly associated with age and literacy (p <0.05). The number of ocular morbidity was significantly associated with age, sex, religion and literacy of the study participant (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The present cross sectional study, reported a higher prevalence of ocular morbidities among elderly in rural area. Major causes for ocular morbidity include cataract, refractive error, retinopathies and glaucoma, all of which are preventable or treatable. Ocular morbidity favored people with higher age, female sex and illiterates. Treatment seeking behavior among the participant revealed more preference for private sector compared to government sector.