Abstract

Background: 80% of the blindness is due to cataract in India and with Vision 2020: Right to Sight-India mission, it is needed assess the status of eye health care in the India. Therefore, a study was conducted in the hospital working under the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI) to study various epidemiological factors, risk factors and treatment aspects. Methodology: A retrospective study of 306 patients’ records was conducted in Sat Kaival Eye Hospital, Sarsa located in the rural area of the central Gujarat. The detailed socio-demographic characteristics, ocular history, knowledge awareness, associated risk factors, type of cataract and type of surgery of recruited patients were recorded in the predesigned sheets. Results: The results indicate that 89.9% of the patients were of 50 years or above age. More females (55.6%) were enrolled for the cataract surgery than males (44.4%). More cases were observed of rural (74.2%), poor (63.7%), less educated (90.2%), house workers (49.7%) and had not any prior knowledge (69.6%) of cataract disease. All religion and category of patients had availed the benefits of free eye care service of NPCBVI. Risk factors recorded for the cataract were aging, diabetes, hypertension, trauma, medication, alcohol, UV-radiations, and smoking. Greater number of the cases was of unilateral cataract (90.2%) and of nuclear cataract (52.9%). Most of the cataract patients (75.2%) underwent small incision surgery. Conclusion: The results indicate that above vulnerable groups may require special attention to access free eye care services of NBCPVI programme. Further, Community awareness and preventive measures on modifiable risk factors of cataract disease may be significantly reduced burden of the cataract patients.