Cataract in 50 Plus Population: Prevalence&perception of Symptoms in a Rural Block of Cuttack District of Odisha

Background: With the increase in life expectancy, the degenerative disorders are increasing day by day. Age related cataract is one among those and it is the commonest type of acquired cataract affecting persons usually above the age of 50 years. Most eye diseases in their initial stages tend to be ignored by many a people as common and trivial.

Objectives: 1. To know the prevalence of cataract in 50+ population. 2. To know the perception of symptoms due to cataract.

Method: It was a community based cross-sectional study conducted in two villages in a rural block of Odisha. The villages were selected by multistage random sampling. Sample size calculated was 266. The study respondents were interviewed and clinically examined by door to door visit. Data analysis was done with SPSS(11.0).Chi-square test was used as required.

Results: A total of 274 individuals of 50+ age were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of cataract among the study subjects was 70% (68% in males and 72% in females). It was higher in BPL(Below poverty line) subjects. Significant difference (p<0.001)was observed in prevalence of cataract between perceivers and non-perceivers of eye problems. 97% of the cases of blindness was due to cataract.

Conclusion: The study concludes that there is high prevalence of age related cataract in rural area of Odisha and also gives idea how rural people perceive the symptoms related to cataract.