Prevalence of Cataract in a Region of Sao Paulo State, Brazil

Abstract

Purpose: : Cataract is considered the main preventable cause of blindness and visual deficiency mainly in poor countries. This study was done to evaluate if cataract still an important cause of blindness in Sao Paulo State, Brazil.

Methods: : A cross-sectional study was conducted with a systematically randomized sample of households in five cities, located in southwest region of São Paulo State, Brazil. The sample consisted of 4229 individuals (8458 eyes) of all ages. All individuals living in the household were considered eligible. They were submitted to a complete ophthalmological examination (visual acuity with and without visual correction, biomicroscopy, funduscopy, tonometry, and refractometry). Cataract was defined by visual acuity worse than 20/50 with the best corrected vision and the biomicroscopic exam. Prevalence was evaluated for each eye separately, and for both eyes, together.

Results: : Prevalence of cataract in this population was 4.94% (209 individuals), affecting mainly people over 50 years old and females (61,11%).

Conclusions: : According to our results cataract is still an important cause of blindness and visual deficiency in Sao Paulo State, Brazil.

Keywords: cataract • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: prevalence/incidence • quality of life