Blinding
Cataract in Thailand, 1994
Somchai Wongwetsawat,
M.D.
Department
of Ophthalmology, Maharat Nakonratchasima Hospital.
ABSTRACT Blinding cataract
is avoidable and curable which is still be the burden of problem particularly
in the developing country. The Third National survey on blindness and low
vision conducted in 1994, used sample groups that were selected from the
whole country. The groups were weighted on the basis of probability proportional
to size. A total of 52 districts from 18 provinces, numbering 30,84 people
were collected. For analysis of the survey data, the July 1, 1994 population
figure was estimated by projecting the 1990 National population census figures.
The survey found that
cataract was the most common cause of blindness and low vision. This study
concluded that 70.75 % and 50.94 % of blinding cataract was illiterate and
unemployed respectively. The regional prevalence of blinding cataract, the
North ranked first followed by the South, the Central and lastly the Northeast
with the rate of 5.77, 3.50, 3.16 and 1.69 per 1,000 respectively. The older
age group the more affected, 94.34 % of blinding cataract was at or over
60. Age and sex specific prevalence in the whole country was 2.19 per 1,000.
More females were affected when compared to males, rating 2.64 and 1.74
per 1,000 respectively.
Total estimated number
of blinding cataract was 130,000 comprising of 80,000 females and 50,000
males approximately
Thai
J Ophthalmol 1996 ; July-December 10(2) : 125-134.
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