Evaluation of the Community Cataract Surgical Services of a University Teaching Hospital Using Cataract Surgical Coverage in Nigeria

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cataract is the leading cause of blindness in the world. An efficient and effectivecataract surgical service is necessary to reduce the backlog of cataract blindness in the community. Thisstudy aims to determine the cataract surgical coverage among individuals aged 50 years and aboveresiding in Esie and Arandun communities. This will serve as a measure of the impact of the cataractintervention programme provided by the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.METHODS: The study was a population-based, cross sectional survey conducted from November toDecember, 2013. Cataract surgical services are provided by the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital,Nigeria, at Esie and Arandun communities as out-reach centres. Seven hundred and fifty-five individualsaged 50 years and above residing in these communities had basic ocular examination done.RESULT: Out of the 765 subjects registered, 755(98.7%) were examined. Out of these, 38.4% were malesand 61.6% were females. The prevalence of bilateral cataract blindness was 1.6%. The Cataract SurgicalCoverage (eyes) at visual acuity < 3/60 for males and females were 52.3% and 51.2% respectively(X2=19.30, p=0.001), while the Cataract Surgical Coverage (person) at visual acuity less < 3/60 for malesand females were 80.6% and 68.4% respectively (X2=2.10, p=0.147).CONCLUSION: The Cataract Surgical Coverage was high with a correspondingly low prevalence ofcataract blindness in these communities. The availability of cataract surgical services via out-reachprogrammes bridges the gap between eye care-givers and the community.