Indian Journal of Ophthalmology

COMMUNITY EYE CARE
Year
: 2010  |  Volume : 58  |  Issue : 4  |  Page : 313--320

Prevalence and determinants of blindness, low vision, deafness and major bone fractures among elderly Omani population of Nizwa Wilayat (Nizwa elderly population study - 2005)


Rajiv Khandekar1, Asiya Al Riyami2, Mahmood Attiya2, Magdi Morsi2 
1 Eye & Ear Health Care, Ministry of Health, Oman
2 Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health, Oman

Correspondence Address:
Rajiv Khandekar
Eye & Ear Health Care, Department of Non-communicable Disease Control, Director General of Health Affairs, Ministry of Health (HQ) POB: 393, Pin: 113, Muscat
Oman

Aim: We conducted a survey in 2005 to estimate the prevalence and determinants of visual and hearing impairment in a population aged 60 years and above, from the Nizwa Wilayat of Oman. We also correlated them with major bone fracture. Study Design: Cross-sectional survey. Materials and Methods: Vision was tested on Snellen�SQ�s �SQ�E�SQ� chart. Persons with vision less than 20/200 were reexamined by an ophthalmologist to find cause of impairment. Hearing was tested by a screening audiometer. Self-reported information on fracture of major bones was confirmed by review of case records. The prevalence, 95% confidence intervals (CI), and number of visually impaired individuals were calculated. Statistical Analysis: Univariate method and parametric tests were used for analysis. Results: We examined 1,639 (80.3%) Omani persons aged 60 years and above. The prevalence of blindness (vision less than 20/200 in the better eye) was 37.4% (95% CI 35.7-39.1). Blindness was significantly higher in females (Odd�SQ�s Ratio = 2.1) but was similar in urban and rural Nizwa (OR = 0.73). The prevalence of vision impairment (20/60 to 10/200) was 36.0% (95% CI 34.3-37.7). Cataract was the principal cause in 50% of the blind. The prevalence of glaucoma, corneal opacity, and chronic trachoma was 3.1%, 66.8%, and 53.2%, respectively. Among participants, 36.1% had diabetes. Hearing impairment was noted in 33.5% and profound hearing loss was noted in 3.6% of participants. In the past year, 1.4% of participants had a major bone fracture. Conclusion: Visual and hearing impairment and blinding eye diseases were common among senior Omani citizens.


How to cite this article:
Khandekar R, Al Riyami A, Attiya M, Morsi M. Prevalence and determinants of blindness, low vision, deafness and major bone fractures among elderly Omani population of Nizwa Wilayat (Nizwa elderly population study - 2005).Indian J Ophthalmol 2010;58:313-320


How to cite this URL:
Khandekar R, Al Riyami A, Attiya M, Morsi M. Prevalence and determinants of blindness, low vision, deafness and major bone fractures among elderly Omani population of Nizwa Wilayat (Nizwa elderly population study - 2005). Indian J Ophthalmol [serial online] 2010 [cited 2024 Mar 29 ];58:313-320
Available from: https://journals.lww.com/ijo/pages/default.aspx/article.asp?issn=0301-4738;year=2010;volume=58;issue=4;spage=313;epage=320;aulast=Khandekar;type=0