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Rabiu MM, Jenf M, Fituri S, Choudhury A, Agbabiaka I, Mousa A.
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Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 2013;20(1):26-32. doi: 10.3109/09286586.2012.746994.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To assess the major causes of avoidable blindness, and outcomes and barriers to cataract services in Libya. METHODS: A stratified multistage cluster random sample study was conducted in the four regions of Libya. Visual acuity and lens assessment were performed on all subjects. Those with presenting visual acuity <6/18 in either or both eyes were further investigated to determine cause(s) of impairment. Barriers to cataract surgery were investigated. Visual outcomes of subjects with surgery performed were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 8538 persons aged ≥50 years were examined across the four regions. The prevalence of blindness was 3.25% (3.15% with best correction), which varied across the regions (2.94-3.80%); after adjustment for age and sex, the prevalence was 2.66%. Major causes of blindness were cataract (29%), glaucoma (24%) and other corneal scars (14%). Causes were similar across all regions except in the south. Avoidable causes were responsible for 60.6% of blindness. Major causes of visual impairment were cataract (31.2%), diabetic retinopathy (16.6%) and posterior segment diseases (15.1%). Cataract surgical coverage among those with visual acuity <3/60 was 95.4%, with no sex differences. About 38% of cataract-operated eyes had poor outcome even after best correction (35%). There was poor outcome in 33% of pseudophakic eyes with best correction. The major barriers to service uptake were "waiting for maturity" (26%), "unaware of treatment" (24%) and "God's will/destiny" (17%). CONCLUSION: Libya needs to improve the quality of cataract surgery across all the regions. The southern region needs improvement in both quality and coverage of services. Keywords: . Link/DOI: 10.3109/09286586.2012.746994