Rapid assessment of visual impairment due to cataract and cataract surgical services in urban Argentina.

Aim: To present results of a rapid assessment on visual impairment due to cataract and on cataract surgical services in the Northwestern districts of Buenos Aires, Argentina. These results will enable health managers to plan effective interventions in this area in line with VISION 2020.

Methods: One hundred fifteen clusters of 40 persons of 50 years and older in each cluster (4600 eligible persons) were selected by systematic sampling from the Northwestern districts of Buenos Aires, Argentina.