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Summary
Cataract extraction rates were high in Greenlandic Eskimos aged 60-79 years. Factors like genetics, diet, climate, and delayed treatment likely contributed to this trend.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Cataract extraction is a common surgical procedure.
- Understanding population-specific extraction rates is crucial for healthcare planning.
- Greenlandic Eskimos present a unique demographic for epidemiological study.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of cataract extractions in Greenlandic Eskimos.
- To analyze the rate of first-eye cataract extractions within specific age groups.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of surgical records from 1979-1980.
- Calculation of extraction frequencies per 10,000 persons for defined age strata.
Main Results:
- A total of 43 cataract extractions were recorded.
- 28 of these were first-eye procedures.
- High frequencies of first-eye extractions were observed: 42 per 10,000 in the 60-69 age group and 72 per 10,000 in the 70-79 age group.
Conclusions:
- Cataract extraction rates, particularly for first eyes, appear elevated in this population.
- Potential contributing factors include racial predispositions, nutritional status, climatic conditions, and a "backlog effect" of delayed treatment.