Tropical Data: Approach and Methodology as Applied to Trachoma Prevalence Surveys.

Purpose: Population-based prevalence surveys are essential for decision-making on interventions to achieve trachoma elimination as a public health problem. This paper outlines the methodologies of Tropical Data, which supports work to undertake those surveys.

Methods: Tropical Data is a consortium of partners that supports health ministries worldwide to conduct globally standardised prevalence surveys that conform to World Health Organization recommendations.

Prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in Jimma University Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy accounts for 5% of global blindness and the incidence of diabetic blindness is increasing. Although the epidemiology of diabetic retinopathy has been well described in Western populations, there remains a paucity of prevalence data in many developing countries such as Ethiopia.

Objective: To determine the prevalence, pattern and associated risk factors of diabetic retinopathy.

Rapid trachoma assessment in Kersa District, Southwest Ethiopia.

Background: Trachoma is the leading cause of infectious blindness worldwide. Though trachoma can be treated with antibiotics (active trachoma) or surgery (trachomatous trichiasis), it is still endemic in most parts of Ethiopia. Despite the prevalence of this infectious disease in different parts of the country, district level data is lacking.

Ocular manifestations of sickle cell disease at the Korle-bu Hospital, Accra, Ghana.

Purpose: To determine the magnitude and pattern of ocular manifestations in sickle cell disease at Korle-bu Hospital, Accra, Ghana.

Methods: Hospital-based cross-sectional study including all patients with sickle cell disease reporting for routine follow-up at the Sickle Cell Clinic at Korle-bu Hospital, Accra, Ghana.

Results: A total of 201 patients with sickle cell disease (67 male and 134 female) were enrolled, comprising 114 subjects with genotype HbSS, aged 6-58 years, mean 19.

The influence of central corneal thickness on intraocular pressure measured by goldmann applanation tonometry among selected Ethiopian communities.

Background: Estimates of intraocular pressure (IOP) are influenced directly by the central corneal thickness (CCT). We assume and apply a single value for CCT (520 μm) in applanation tonometry estimates, although there is compelling evidence that CCT varies between individuals.

Objective: To determine the influence of CCT and other factors on IOP among Ethiopians.

Are blind people more likely to accept free cataract surgery? A study of vision-related quality of life and visual acuity in Kenya.

Purpose: To determine possible differences in visual acuity, socio-demographic factors and vision-related Quality of Life (QoL) between people accepting and people refusing sponsored cataract surgery.

Methods: Three hundred and fifty seven local residents with visually impairing cataract, presenting at screening sites in Kwale District, Kenya were clinically assessed and interviewed. The World Health Organization (WHO) QoL-questionnaire WHO/Prevention of Blindness and Deafness Visual Functioning Questionnaire 20 (PBD-VFQ20) was used to determine the vision-related QoL.