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Cataract and its surgery in Fiji
Garry Brian1, Jacqueline Ramke, John Szetu
1The Fred Hollows Foundation New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand. grbrian@tpg.com.au
Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology
|November 26, 2010
Summary
Cataract surgery in Fiji shows favorable outcomes, with Indian ethnicity, older age, and smoking predicting cataract. Cataract causes significant vision impairment, but surgical coverage is improving.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Cataract is a leading cause of vision impairment globally.
- Characterizing cataract and its surgical outcomes in specific populations is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and predictors of cataract and its surgery among adults aged 40 years and older in Fiji.
- To evaluate the outcomes of cataract surgery in this population.
Main Methods:
- Population-based cross-sectional survey utilizing multistage cluster random sampling.
- Data collected via interview-based questionnaires, visual acuity measurements, autorefraction, and dilated ocular examinations.
- 1381 participants (73.0% participation) from eight provinces on Viti Levu were included.
Main Results:
- Indian ethnicity, older age, and smoking were significant predictors of cataract. Unoperated cataract was a major cause of low vision and blindness.
- Prevalence of cataract-induced low vision and blindness was 1.7% each.
- Cataract Surgical Coverage (Person) was estimated at 47.5% for vision <6/18 and 65.2% for vision <6/60.
- Post-surgery, 50.7% experienced posterior capsular opacification, with 56.6% achieving ≥6/18 visual acuity.
Conclusions:
- Fiji's cataract services and surgical outcomes are comparable to those in neighboring countries like Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste.
- Further efforts may be needed to increase cataract surgical coverage and address post-operative complications.
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