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Evaluates two methods of assessing visual outcome following cataract surgery in India. Analysis of data obtained from standardized patient records of cataract surgery; Data from population-based rapid epidemiological assessments.

Analyzes the reforms affecting the progress of cataract surgery projects in India. Significance of the surgery services in the prevention of blindness in the country; Examples in the surgery statistics in the states of Karnataka and Madurai; Percentage distribution of cataract surgery patients.

Purpose: To determine whether routine monitoring leads to better visual outcomes over time after cataract surgery., Setting: Comprehensive community eyecare center in western India., Design: Comparative case series., Methods: Operative case sheets of all patients having cataract surgery were collected. Preoperative information, surgical details, and follow-up findings were included in the audit. The outcome measure was postoperative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), which was graded as good (≥ 6/18), borderline, or poor (<6/60). If the outcome was poor, the causes were classified as follows: selection, surgery, spectacles, or sequelae. The surgeons were briefed about their performance twice a year., Results: The audit included 16,382 cataract surgeries. The proportion of eyes having a CDVA of 6/18 or better 6 weeks postoperatively improved significantly, from 86.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 84.8%-88.3%) in 2002 to 90.5% (95% CI, 89.3%-91.8%) in 2005, while CDVA worse than 6/60 declined from 5.9% in 2002 to 2.5% in 2005. Manual small-incision cataract surgery was more popular than conventional extracapsular cataract surgery in 2004 and 2005. The incidence of posterior capsule tear and vitreous loss declined in the later years, although the rate of striate keratitis remained the same. Younger patients, women, those without ocular comorbidity, and those with a preoperative CDVA of better than 6/60 had better visual acuity 8 weeks postoperatively., Conclusion: Routine monitoring and modernization of technique helped increase good visual outcomes and reduce poor visual outcomes after cataract surgery., (Copyright © 2011 ASCRS and ESCRS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To assess results of a vision screening programme in schools in India, 5 years after its introduction., Material: Questionnaires on school eye screening activities were sent to 200 randomly selected districts., Methods: Data from 61 districts were analysed, using process indicators to assess performance at different stages of the screening procedure., Results: Teachers screened 5.39 million children in 61 districts. Refraction was done on 205,082 children (3.8%) and 43,922 children (0.8%) were provided with spectacles. Children of 10-15 years have more refractive errors. Different stages in the procedure are evaluated., Conclusion: Vision screening in schools has been taken up successfully in many districts in India. This has reduced the workload of eye care staff and increased the coverage. The simplicity of the procedure facilitates widespread application. Many parents take their children to the private sector for services. Monitoring and reporting needs to be improved.

Aim: Presentation of the results of rapid assessments of bilateral cataract blindness in persons 50 years of age and older in 19 districts of Karnataka State, India., Materials: A total of 21,950 persons 50 years of age and older in 19 out of 20 districts were examined. In each district, 15 clusters were randomly selected and in each cluster the visual acuity and lens status were assessed in 90 persons 50 years of age and older., Methods: Systematic Random Cluster Sampling was used. Assuming a prevalence of at least 4.3% and a design effect of 1.5, the survey was designed to give an estimated prevalence with a sampling error of 20% or less at 80% confidence. Visual acuity was measured with a tumbling E chart at 6 meters distance with available correction. Lens status was assessed by distant direct ophthalmoscopy with undilated pupil under semi-dark conditions., Results: The average age and sex adjusted prevalence of cataract blindness was 4.93%, with a variation of 1.58% to 7.24% in different districts. The prevalence in females was higher than in males. Cataract Surgical Coverage, an indicator for coverage and service utilization, varied from 42% to 68% in different districts. On average, males had a higher coverage than females. Of all aphakic eyes in the sample, 26.4% could not see 6/60. Barriers to cataract surgery are linked to service providers., Conclusions: Rapid assessments for cataract blindness in persons aged 50 years and older can be conducted at district level in India with existing resources and at affordable costs. The results suggest an increase in cataract blindness since the previous survey of 1986. The long-term visual outcome needs improvement. Change in barriers to cataract surgery requires a shift in health education strategy and messages. The large variation in prevalence justifies district-level surveys. A change in the sampling frame from 15 clusters of 90 to 28 x 40 or 37 x 30 will increase the precision.

Aim: To find an optimal cluster size and number of clusters for a reasonable estimate of the prevalence of cataract blindness in people aged > or = 50 years in 19 rural districts of a state in India., Materials: Cluster sampling methodology was used in 19 rural districts of Karnataka State, India. In each district, 15 clusters were randomly selected and 90 people aged > or = 50 years were examined in each cluster. As a result the visual acuity and lens status of a total of 22,218 people were assessed., Methods: For each district, the design effect for cluster size ranging from 20 to 90 was calculated and the optimal cluster size and the required number of clusters to achieve an accuracy of 1% errors and 80% confidence was assessed., Results: The age and gender adjusted prevalence of cataract blindness varied from 1.58% to 7.24%, which justifies district level surveys. The design effect is nearly 1.5 for clusters of sizes 30 and 40. With an average prevalence of 4.93% with 1% error and 80% confidence level, the optimal number of clusters is 37 and 28 for a cluster size of 30 and 40 respectively and the average sample size for a district around 1100., Conclusions: Rapid assessments for cataract blindness in those aged > or = 50 years can be conducted at district level in India with existing resources and at affordable costs. These provide reliable data, essential for effective monitoring and planning. Other parameters, for instance, surgical coverage can also be assessed. The availability of standardized software for data entry and analysis and strict adherence to survey procedures is essential.

A census survey in Mohadi block, Bhandara district of Maharashtra, indicated that the prevalence of blindness and cataract blindness has increased, compared with the 1986 survey. Around one third of the persons blind from cataract have been covered by surgical services. To increase coverage, more emphasis on information, education and communication is essential.

Uncorrected refractive errors are the main cause of severely impaired vision in India. This in itself indicates that there is a shortage of basic eye care services and spectacles, and too little public awareness of the need for them. A simple method for screening schoolchildren for refractive errors is described and the results are analysed. Evaluation of the materials used and the accuracy of the screening shows that this method can be used successfully by teachers.