Rapid assessment of blindness cataract and cataract surgical coverage in Nghe An province in 2012

Abstract

Assessment of blindness prevalence due to cataract, surgical coverage and barriers to uptake the operation in Nghe An province, Viet Nam was conducted with a cross - sectional study. A total of 4.613 participants aged 50 plus across the province were recruited into the research. Recording form and RAAB software are used to collect and analyse the data. Results of the research have shown that the prevalence of the blindness cataract in the age group 50 plus is 3.1% while cataract surgical coverage is 50.8% (with cutoff point vision acuity is 6/60). There are 3 major reasons for patient not to uptake surgery such as "old age: having no need (20.8%)", "cannot afford the surgery (16%)", "one eye operated is enough, no need for second eye (13.2%)". And 79.2% of post-operated are satisfied with the outcome.