Estimating Incidence of Vision-Reducing Cataract in Africa
Document Type
Article
Department
Mathematics (HMC)
Publication Date
12-2010
Abstract
Objective To estimate the incidence of vision-reducing cataract in sub-Saharan Africa and use these data to calculate cataract surgical rates (CSR) needed to eliminate blindness and visual impairment due to cataract.
Methods Using data from recent population-based, standardized, rapid-assessment surveys, we calculated the age-specific prevalence of cataract (including operated and unoperated eyes) from surveys in 7 “districts” across Africa. This was done at 3 levels of visual acuity. Then we used the age-specific prevalence data to develop a model to estimate age-specific incidence at different visual acuities, taking into account differences in mortality rates between those with cataract compared with those without. The model included development of opacity in the first eye and second eye of people older than 50 years. The incidence data were used to calculate target cataract surgical rates.
Results Incidence and CSR needs varied significantly in different sites and were lower in some than expected. Cataract surgical rates may depend on genetic, environmental, or cultural variations and will vary with population structure, which is not uniform across Africa.
Rights Information
© 2010 American Medical Association
Terms of Use & License Information
DOI
10.1001/archophthalmol.2010.307
Recommended Citation
Susan Lewallen, MD; Talithia D. Williams, PhD; Alyssa Dray; Brian C. Stock, BSc; Wanjiku Math- enge, MD; Joseph Oye, MD; John Nkurikiye, FCOphth(SA); Kahaki Kimani, MD; Andreas Mller, PhD; Paul Courtright, DrPH. “Estimating Incidence of Vision-Reducing Cataract in Africa: A New Model With Implications for Program Targets”, Archives of Ophthalmology. 2010; 128 (12) : 1584-1589.
