Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 28, 2025

$Subjective Refraction Test Using a Smartphone for Vision Screening$

Subjective Refraction Test Using a Smartphone for Vision Screening

Published on: October 18, 2024

Prevalence, care-seeking practices and impact of self-reported vision impairment in Southwest Cameroon: a

Susan N Mbeboh¹, Sabrinah Ariane Christie², Melissa Carvalho³

¹Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.

|November 27, 2020

Abstract

Objectives:

To establish the prevalence of self-reported vision impairment (VI) in Southwest Cameroon and describe associated care-seeking practices, functional limitations and economic hardships.

Design:

A three-stage clustered sampling household community-based survey.

Setting:

The Southwest region of Cameroon.

Participants:

8046 individuals of all ages residing in the Southwest region of Cameroon.

Primary And Secondary Outcome Measures:

Prevalence of self-reported VI, onset of vision loss, care-seeking practices, diagnosis and treatment, functional limitations, economic hardships on household, beliefs about surgical treatability of blindness and barriers to surgical care.

Results:

The estimated prevalence of self-reported VI in Southwest Cameroon was 0.87% (95% CI 0.62 to 1.21). Among participants aged ≥40 years, the prevalence increased to 2.61% (95% CI 1.74 to 3.90). Less than a quarter of affected participants reported difficulty working (20.5%) or trouble going to school (12.0%) as a result of their VI. Yet, over half (52%, n=43) of affected households experienced significant economic hardships due to the VI. Residing in an urban setting (aOR 1.16, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.30) and belonging to a higher socioeconomic status (aOR 1.13, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.26) were factors associated with the belief that certain types of blindness were surgically reversible. Formal care was not sought by 16.3% (n=8) of affected participants. Cataracts was the leading diagnosis among participants who did seek formal care (43.2%, n=16), although 93.8% of these cases were not surgically treated, primarily due to a lack of perceived need.

Conclusion:

The prevalence of individuals who report vision impairment in Southwest Cameroon is considerably lower than prior published estimates based on visual physical examinations. Routine community-level screening and cost financing schemes could improve detection of pre-clinical eye disease and the utilisation of surgical care. It could also pre-empt disability and economic hardships associated with advanced VI in the region.

Keywords:

epidemiology ophthalmology public health surgery

More Related Videos

Assessing Early Stage Open-Angle Glaucoma in Patients by Isolated-Check Visual Evoked Potential

Assessing Early Stage Open-Angle Glaucoma in Patients by Isolated-Check Visual Evoked Potential

Published on: May 25, 2020

Author Spotlight: Assessment of Visual Acuity in Central Vision Loss Through Motion-Based Peripheral Vision Testing

Author Spotlight: Assessment of Visual Acuity in Central Vision Loss Through Motion-Based Peripheral Vision Testing

Published on: February 23, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways

Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways

At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category,...

Glaucoma: Overview

Glaucoma: Overview

Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...

Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment

Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment

Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...

Prevalence and Incidence

Prevalence and Incidence

In statistical epidemiology and health sciences, two essential metrics—prevalence and incidence—are fundamental for understanding disease dynamics within a population. These measures enable public health officials, epidemiologists, and researchers to assess the burden of diseases, allocate resources effectively, and design impactful public health policies and interventions.
Prevalence indicates the proportion of individuals in a population who have a specific disease or health...

Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment

Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment

In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Improvements in Family Member Quality of Life Following a Task-Shifted Psychosocial Intervention for Road Traffic Injury Survivors in Cameroon.

medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences·2026

A Situational Assessment of the Diagnostic Landscape and Organizational Readiness to Implement Next-Generation Sequencing at Two Childhood Cancer Treatment Centers in Ghana.

Pediatric blood & cancer·2026

Road traffic crash mortality in Southwest Cameroon: a multicenter hospital study.

African journal of emergency medicine : Revue africaine de la medecine d'urgence·2026

Screening for methamphetamine and amphetamine use in trauma: a public health opportunity.

Health affairs scholar·2026

The AAST International Relations Committee: Fostering education, scholarship, research and partnership.

The journal of trauma and acute care surgery·2026

Beyond one-size-fits-all: leveraging mixed-methods qualitative analysis of local stakeholders to tailor validated prehospital care solutions in the Cameroonian cultural context.

BMJ open·2026

See all related articles