Changing scenario of cataract blindness in Kolar District, Karnataka, South India. The utility of rapid assessment of avoidable blindness in reviewing programs.

Purpose: To estimate the prevalence and causes of blindness in persons aged 50 years and over in Kolar district, India, using rapid assessment of avoidable blindness (RAAB) methodology and compare results with a similar study done in 1995.

Methodology: A total of 61 clusters of 50 people aged 50 years and over were selected by probability proportional to size sampling. Households were selected by compact segment sampling.

Assessment of avoidable blindness using the rapid assessment of avoidable blindness methodology.

Background: More than 90% of visual impairment can either be treated or avoided. Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness methodology provides valid estimates in short time to assess magnitude and causes of blindness.

Aims: To estimate the prevalence and causes of blindness in persons above 50 years in Kolar, South India, using the above methodology.

Retinopathy of Prematurity in a rural Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in South India--a prospective study.

Objective: To report the incidence, spectrum and treatment outcome of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) in a rural neonatal nursery.

Methods: This Prospective, observational, non-randomized study was conducted in a level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at district headquarters in South India. 118 babies with birth weight ≤2000 g and/or period of gestation (POG) ≤34 wk were included in the study.