PREVALENCE AND CAUSES OF DISTANCE VISION IMPAIRMENT AND BLINDNESS IN OLDER ADULTS IN URBAN AND RURAL AREAS OF PARINTINS: THE BRAZILIAN AMAZON REGION EYE SURVEY

Abstract

Purpose : The Brazilian Amazon Region Eye Survey (BARES) is a population-based prevalence study of visual impairment, blindness and ocular diseases in adults aged 45 years and older from urban and rural areas of Parintins city, Brazil. Our purpose is to describe the prevalence and causes of visual impairment and blindness in both urban and rural populations from Parintins

Methods : A random selection of census sector clusters was used to identify a population sample in rural and urban areas. Eligible subjects 45 years of age and older in the 14 selected urban and 6 rural clusters were enumerated through a door-to-door household survey and invited to an examination site for visual acuity testing and eye examinations. The principal cause of distance reduced presenting visual acuity 20/40 or worse was determined for each eye

Results : A total of 2383 eligible persons were enumerated, and 2042 (85.7 %) examined. The prevalence of presenting mild visual impairment - MVI (<20/32 - ≥ 20/63) in the better-seeing eye was 17.0% [95% CI: 15.3% -18.7%], and 8.5% [95% CI: 7.3% - 9.7%] with best correction. The prevalence of presenting visual impairment - VI (<20/63 - ≥20/200) was 18.4% [95% CI: 16.2% - 20.6%], and 6.9% [95% CI: 5.8% - 8.0%] with best correction. The prevalence of presenting bilateral blindness (<20/200 in both eyes) was 4.3% [95% CI: 3.6% - 5.0%], and 3.3% [95% CI: 2.5% - 4.0%] with best correction. Presenting and best corrected blindness were associated with older age, but not with gender, schooling or place of living (urban or rural). Cataract (47.8%), glaucoma (7.5%) and disorganized/absent globe (7.2%) were the most common causes of blind eyes (<20/200). The main causes of eyes with VI and MVI were: uncorrected refractive errors (VI: 42.6%; MVI: 79.0%), cataract (VI: 40.6%; MVI: 13.7%) and pterygium (VI: 7.6%; MVI: 2.7%)

Conclusions : Most cases of visual impairment and blindness in the Brazilian Amazon Region are preventable and/or treatable, and prevention of blindness programs should target mainly cataract surgical services and refraction with spectacle provision. Retinal diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy, do not have a major role in visual impairment/blindness in the area

This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2016 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, Wash., May 1-5, 2016.