Cataracts in rural areas in Togo: awareness and attitudes

To assess the prevalence of senile cataracts and the awareness and attitudes of patients with them in a rural area in Togo. We conducted a 10-weeks cross-sectional ophthalmic screening in the prefecture of VO, 57 km from Lomé, which sought to include individuals aged 50 years and older living in the study area. All patients underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination. Of the 3111 patients expected, 767 came for the examination, for a participation rate of 24.6%. The sex ratio was 0.8, and the patients' mean age was 60.1 ± 8.7 years. The frequency of senile cataracts was 40.28%. Women had cataracts more often than men, with a sex ratio of 0.63. The frequency of unilateral blindness was 1.62% and 22% for bilateral blindness related to cataracts. Almost every participant (99.7%) knew the disease named cataract, but fewer than half (41.59%) knew its causes. Most patients (97.09%) accepted the idea of cataract surgery, but the lack of financial resources was a major barrier to it (64.72%). The frequency of senile cataracts is high in rural area. Decentralization of eye care is essential to give the right to sight to the population living in these areas.