Gopal P. Pokharel|Gunjan Regmi|Sabin Shrestha|A. D. Négrel|Leon B. Ellwein
Prevalence of blindness and cataract surgery in Nepal
Lumbini Eye Institute|World Health Organization|National Eye Institute|Lumbini Eye Institute|World Health Organization|National Eye Institute|Lumbini Eye Institute|World Health Organization|National Eye Institute|Lumbini Eye Institute|World Health Organization|National Eye Institute
national eye care programme launched nepal early 1980s impact programme blindness cataract surgery prevalence evaluated two geographic zonespeople aged 45 years older sampled using stratified cluster design within randomly selected clusters door door enumeration followed visual acuity measurement eye examinations conveniently located sites full survey preceded pilot study operational methods refined quality assurance measures carried outof 5112 enumerated individuals 90 examined blindness defined presenting visual acuity less 660 eyes found 53 95 ci 36 68 individuals examined cataract principal cause least one eye 78 cases considering cataract operated unoperated cataract blind cases surgical coverage approximately 42the findings suggest blindness prevalence may decreased slightly estimated 1981 national survey overall cataract related similarly cataract surgical coverage may increased somewhat none changes however statistically significant levels accordingly blindness problem remains challengingly high