A cross-sectional study of visual impairment in elderly population in residential care in the South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence and major causes of visual impairment (VI) in elderly residents of 'home for the aged' institutions in the Prakasam district in India.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

'Home for the aged' institutions in the Prakasam district in the South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

PARTICIPANTS

All 524 residents in the 26 'homes for aged' institutions in the district were enumerated.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Prevalence and causes of VI; visual acuity (VA) was assessed using a Snellen chart at a distance of 6 m. Pinhole VA was assessed if presenting VA was <6/18. Torchlight examination and direct ophthalmoscopy were performed. VI was defined as presenting VA <6/18 in the better eye.

RESULTS

Of the 494 participants examined (response rate 94.3%), 78.1% were women, 72.1% had no formal schooling. The mean age of participants was 70 years (SD ±8.6 years). VI was present in 280/494 individuals (56.9%; 95% CI 52.3 to 61.3). Over 80% of the VI was due to avoidable causes including cataract (57.1%) and uncorrected refractive errors (26.4%). Among 134 individuals who had undergone bilateral cataract surgery, only 78 (58.2%) individuals had presenting VA ≥6/18 and 13/134 (9.7%) participants were blind.

CONCLUSIONS

There is high prevalence of VI in the institutionalised elderly population in the Prakasam district in India. A significant proportion of this elderly population with VI can benefit from spectacles and cataract surgery. Strategies are required to provide high-quality services to this population.