Abstract
Purpose:
To estimate the prevalence of visual impairment and its risk factors in older adults living in three urban environments: Natal, Brazil; Manizales, Colombia; and Tirana, Albania. We hypothesized that the prevalence would be 5% or greater.
Methods:
Data came from three sites of the International Mobility in Aging study, a prospective, population-based study of adults ages 65-74 years. In 2012, participants were identified through neighborhood primary care center registers from which random samples were drawn. Those randomly selected were visited at their home to invite them to participate. Response rates were very high (>90%). Participants were excluded if they had 4 or more errors on the orientation scale of the Leganes Cognitive Test. Habitual binocular visual acuity was measured using the ETDRS Tumbling E chart at 2 meters. Visual impairment was defined as visual acuity worse than 20/60. Participants were asked whether they saw an eye care provider in the last year. Multiple logistic regression was used and clustering by site was accounted for by using a Huber White sandwich estimator.
Results:
The prevalence rates of visual impairment in Natal, Manizales, and Tirana were 10%, 22%, and 15%. The percentages who saw an eye care provider in the last year in Natal, Manizales, and Tirana were 54%, 37%, and 26%. Risk factors for visual impairment were older age, illiteracy, physical violence from a family member, and depression (P<0.05). Factors associated with seeing an eye care provider in the last year included more years of formal education, being in a higher income category, and physical violence from a family member (P<0.05).
Conclusions:
The prevalence of visual impairment was high in all three sites, especially Manizales, Colombia. Improved access to eye care is needed.