Prevalence and causes of vision impairment and blindness in older adults in Brazil: the Sao Paulo Eye Study

Author(s)

Salomao‚ S. ; Cinoto‚ R. ; Berezovsky‚ A. ; Araujo-Filho‚ A. ; Mitsuhiro‚ M. ; Mendieta‚ L. ; Morales‚ P. ; Pokharel‚ G. ; Belfort‚ R. ; Ellwein‚ L.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: OPHTHALMIC EPIDEMIOLOGY; v. 15, n. 3, p. 167-175, 2008.

Abstract

Purpose: Investigate prevalence and causes of vision impairment/blindness in older adults in a low-middle income area of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Methods: Cluster sampling, based on geographically defined census sectors, was used in randomly selecting cross-sectionally persons 50 years of age or older. Subjects were enumerated through a door-to-door survey and invited for measurement of presenting and best-corrected visual acuity and an ocular examination. The principal cause was identified for eyes with presenting visual acuity less than 20/32. Results: A total of 4,224 eligible persons in 2,870 households were enumerated, and 3,678 (87.1%) examined. The prevalence of presenting visual acuity 20/32 in both eyes was 61.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 59.4%-63.9%), and 80.4% (95% CI: 78.8%-82.1%) with best correction. The prevalence of visual impairment ( 20/63 to 20/200) in the better eye was 4.74% (95% CI: 3.97%-5.53%), and 2.00% (95% CI: 1.52%-2.49%) with best correction. The prevalence of presenting bilateral blindness ( 20/200) was 1.51% (95% CI: 1.20%-1.82%), and 1.07% (95% CI: 0.79%-1.35%) with best correction. Presenting blindness was associated with older age and lack of schooling. Retinal disorders (35.3%) and cataract (28.3%) were the most common causes of blind eyes. Cataract (33.2%), refractive error (32.3%), and retinal disorders (20.3%) were the main causes of vision impairment 20/63 to 20/200, with refractive error (76.8%) and cataract (12.2%) as main causes for eyes with acuity 20/32 to 20/63. Conclusions: Vision impairment is a significant problem in older Brazilians reinforcing the need to implement prevention of blindness programs for elderly people with emphasis on those without schooling. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 06/01354-7 - Prevalence of visual impairment/blindness in elderly adults from East Zone districts of São Paulo city
• Grantee: Rafael Werneck Cinoto
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)