Abstract

MASHIGE, Khathutshelo P.  and  RAMKLASS, Serela S.. Prevalence and causes of visual impairment among older persons living in low-income old age homes in Durban, South Africa. Afr. j. prim. health care fam. med. (Online) [online]. 2020, vol.12, n.1, pp.1-7. ISSN 2071-2936.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v12i1.2159.

BACKGROUND: Visual impairment (VI) increases with age and has been reported to be more prevalent among older adults living in old age homes than in the general population. AIM: To determine the prevalence and causes of VI among older adults living in low-income old age homes in Durban, South Africa. SETTING: This study was conducted at low-income old age homes in Durban. METHODS: This cross-sectional study of 118 residents aged 60 years and older, collected socio-demographic data, presenting visual acuities (VAs) for each eye, and binocularly. Anterior segment eye examinations were conducted with a penlight torch and a portable slit-lamp, while posterior segment evaluation was conducted with direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy. Objective and subjective refractions were performed, and the best-corrected distance and near VAs were measured in each eye. VI was defined as presenting VA < 6/18 and included moderate VI (< 6/18−6/60), severe VI (< 6/60 -3/60) and blindness (< 6/120). RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 73.3 years and included 80.5% females and 19.5% males. The prevalence of VI and blindness was 63.6%. Optical correction significantly reduced the prevalence of VI and blindness by 19.5% (p < 0.05). The main causes of non-refractive VI and blindness were cataract (54.5%), posterior segment disorders (25.5%) and corneal opacities (20%). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of VI and blindness is high among residents in low-income old age homes living in Durban. Refractive correction and surgical cataract intervention can significantly reduce the burden of VI and blindness among the elderly residents

Keywords : low-income old age home; prevalence; visual acuity; visual impairment; blindness; Durban.

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