Population-Based Assessment of Prevalence, Causes, and Risk Factors of Unilateral Vision Impairment in the Elderly Population in Telangana, India.

PURPOSE: To report the prevalence, causes, and risk factors for unilateral visual impairment (UVI) among the elderly population (≥60 years) in Telangana, India.

METHODS

A population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in four districts of Telangana. Trained teams conducted eye examinations. Distance visual acuity (VA) was assessed using a Snellen chart with a tumbling E optotypes at 6 m. Anterior eye examination and non-mydriatic fundus imaging were performed for all participants. UVI was defined as presenting VA worse than 6/18 in one eye and VA better than or equal to 6/18 in the other eye. Multivariable analysis was performed to assess the factors associated with UVI.

RESULTS

Of 2,447 participants aged ≥60 years were included in the analysis, 1,285 (52.5%) were women, and 1,786 (73%) had no formal education. In total, 525 (21.5%) participants were from Adilabad, 602 (24.6%) from Mahbubnagar, 610 (24.9%) from Khammam, and 710 (29%) from Warangal districts. The mean (standard deviation) age of the participants was 66.6 (±6.3) years. The prevalence of UVI was 34.9% (95% CI: 33.0-36.9; n = 856). Cataract (48.5%; n = 415) was the leading cause of UVI, followed by uncorrected refractive error (33.1%; n = 284). The multivariate analysis showed higher odds of UVI in the older age group and among those residing in the Khammam and Warangal districts.

CONCLUSION

Over a third of the elderly population in Telangana had UVI. Eight out of 10 cases of UVI could be addressed by providing spectacles and cataract surgery at primary and secondary levels of eye care, respectively.