The economic impacts of cataract surgery on sustainable vision and quality of life in Katsina state.

Background: This study investigates the economic impacts of eye care interventions on the quality of life in Katsina state. Eye care intervention is a requirement for equitable and inclusive development in the state.

Methods: The study used a survey method and 5-point Likert scale questionnaire to collect data.

Toward Universal Eye Health Coverage-Key Outcomes of the World Health Organization Package of Eye Care Interventions: A Systematic Review.

Importance: Despite persistent inequalities in access to eye care services globally, guidance on a set of recommended, evidence-based eye care interventions to support country health care planning has not been available. To overcome this barrier, the World Health Organization (WHO) Package of Eye Care Interventions (PECI) has been developed.

Objective: To describe the key outcomes of the PECI development.

Prevalence, Causes, and Risk Factors of Visual Impairment in Emiratis and Non-Emiratis of Dubai: A Subnational Population-Based Cross-Sectional Survey.

Purpose: To study the prevalence, causes, and risk factors of visual impairment (VI) among the Dubai Emiratis and non-Emiratis.

Methods: The survey was a population-based cross-sectional eye health study conducted 2019-2020. Cluster sampling was used to randomly select local (Emirati) and expatriate (non-Emirati) Dubai residents aged 40 years and older.

Keeping an eye on eye care: monitoring progress towards effective coverage.

The eye care sector is well positioned to contribute to the advancement of universal health coverage within countries. Given the large unmet need for care associated with cataract and refractive error, coupled with the fact that highly cost-effective interventions exist, we propose that effective cataract surgery coverage (eCSC) and effective refractive error coverage (eREC) serve as ideal indicators to track progress in the uptake and quality of eye care services at the global level, and to monitor progress towards universal health coverage in general. Global targets for 2030 for these two indicators were endorsed by WHO Member States at the 74th World Health Assembly in May, 2021.

Strengthening the integration of eye care into the health system: methodology for the development of the WHO package of eye care interventions.

Objective: To describe the rational for, and the methods that will be employed to develop, the WHO package of eye care interventions (PECI).

Methods And Analysis: The development of the package will be conducted in four steps: (1) selection of eye conditions (for which interventions will be included in the package) based on epidemiological data on the causes of vision impairment and blindness, prevalence estimates of eye conditions and health facility data; (2) identification of interventions and related evidence for the selected eye conditions from clinical practice guidelines and high-quality systematic reviews by a technical working group; (3) expert agreement on the inclusion of eye care interventions in the package and the description of resources required for the provision of the selected interventions; and (4) peer review. The project will be led by the WHO Vision Programme in collaboration with Cochrane Eyes and Vision.

Impact Survey Results after SAFE Strategy Implementation in 15 Local Government Areas of Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara States, Nigeria.

Purpose: To determine prevalence of trachoma after interventions in 15 local government areas (LGAs) of Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara States, Nigeria.

Methods: A population-based impact survey was conducted in each LGA using Global Trachoma Mapping Project (GTMP) protocols. In each LGA, 25 villages were selected, except in Arewa LGA, where we selected 25 villages from each of four subunits to obtain finer-resolution prevalence information.

A Population-based survey of the prevalence and types of glaucoma in Nigeria: results from the Nigeria National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey.

Background: Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. There tends to be a lower reporting of glaucoma in Africa compared to other blinding conditions in global burden data. Research findings of glaucoma in Nigeria will significantly increase our understanding of glaucoma in Nigeria, in people of the West African diaspora and similar population groups.

Multilevel Analysis of Trachomatous Trichiasis and Corneal Opacity in Nigeria: The Role of Environmental and Climatic Risk Factors on the Distribution of Disease.

The distribution of trachoma in Nigeria is spatially heterogeneous, with large-scale trends observed across the country and more local variation within areas. Relative contributions of individual and cluster-level risk factors to the geographic distribution of disease remain largely unknown. The primary aim of this analysis is to assess the relationship between climatic factors and trachomatous trichiasis (TT) and/or corneal opacity (CO) due to trachoma in Nigeria, while accounting for the effects of individual risk factors and spatial correlation.

Knowledge and practice of primary eye care among primary healthcare workers in northern Nigeria.

Objective: To assess knowledge and practice of primary eye care among primary healthcare workers known as community health extension workers in Funtua district of Nigeria.

Methods: Cross-sectional mixed method study among health workers employed in government-owned primary healthcare facilities. Quantitative data were obtained using self-administered questionnaires and checklists, while qualitative data by modified Delphi technique, role plays and observation.

Face washing promotion for preventing active trachoma.

Background: Trachoma remains a major cause of avoidable blindness among underprivileged populations in many developing countries. It is estimated that about 146 million people have active trachoma and nearly six million people are blind due to complications associated with repeat infections.

Objectives: The objective of this review was to assess the effects of face washing promotion for the prevention of active trachoma in endemic communities.

Prevalence of blindness and diabetic retinopathy in northern Jordan.

Purpose: To estimate the prevalence of blindness, visual impairment, diabetes, and diabetic retinopathy in north Jordan (Irbid) using the rapid assessment of avoidable blindness and diabetic retinopathy methodology.

Methods: A multistage cluster random sampling technique was used to select participants for this survey. A total of 108 clusters were selected using probability proportional to size method while subjects within the clusters were selected using compact segment method.

Prevalence and risk factors for lens opacities in Nigeria: results of the national blindness and low vision survey.

Purpose: Investigate prevalence and risk factors for lens opacities among a nationally representative sample of Nigerians aged ≥ 40 years.

Methods: Across 305 clusters, 13,591 adults were examined. Every seventh participant (n = 1722) was sampled systematically and examined in detail, including lens opacity grading.

Interventions for Mooren's ulcer.

Background: Mooren's ulcer is a chronic, painful peripheral ulcer of the cornea. Its cause is unknown but it can or will lead to loss of vision if untreated. Severe pain is common in patients with Mooren's ulcer and the eye(s) may be intensely reddened, inflamed and photophobic, with tearing.

Best practice eye care models.

Since the launching of Global Initiative, VISION 2020 "the Right to Sight" many innovative, practical and unique comprehensive eye care services provision models have evolved targeting the underserved populations in different parts of the World. At places the rapid assessment of the burden of eye diseases in confined areas or utilizing the key informants for identification of eye diseases in the communities are promoted for better planning and evidence based advocacy for getting / allocation of resources for eye care. Similarly for detection and management of diabetes related blindness, retinopathy of prematurity and avoidable blindness at primary level, the major obstacles are confronted in reaching to them in a cost effective manner and then management of the identified patients accordingly.

Rapid assessment of avoidable blindness and diabetic retinopathy in Taif, Saudi Arabia.

Background/aims: To estimate the prevalence of blindness, diabetes and diabetic retinopathy (DR) in Taif, Saudi Arabia using the Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) framework.

Methods: 66 clusters of 50 people aged ≥50 years were randomly selected. Participants underwent visual acuity measurement and examination by an ophthalmologist.

Review of the publications of the Nigeria national blindness survey: methodology, prevalence, causes of blindness and visual impairment and outcome of cataract surgery.

This is a review of the major publications from the Nigeria national blindness survey in order to highlight major findings and challenges of eye care in Nigeria. The review summarizes methodology and key findings. Survey publications on methodology, prevalence and causes of visual impairment and outcome of cataract surgery were retrieved, reviewed and relevant data extracted, reported and discussed.

Face washing promotion for preventing active trachoma.

Background: Trachoma remains a major cause of avoidable blindness among underprivileged populations in many developing countries. It is estimated that about 146 million people have active trachoma and nearly six million people are blind due to complications associated with repeat infections.

Objectives: The objective of this review was to assess the effects of face washing on the prevalence of active trachoma in endemic communities.

Environmental sanitary interventions for preventing active trachoma.

Background: Trachoma is a major cause of avoidable blindness. It is responsible for about six million blind people worldwide, mostly in the poor communities of developing countries. One of the major strategies advocated for the control of the disease is the application of various environmental sanitary measures to such communities.

Prevalence, causes, and risk factors for functional low vision in Nigeria: results from the national survey of blindness and visual impairment.

Purpose: To estimate prevalence and describe causes of functional low vision (FLV) among a nationally representative sample of Nigerian adults, assess socioeconomic risk factors, and estimate the number of adults in Nigeria who might benefit from low vision assessment or rehabilitation services.

Methods: Multistage, stratified, cluster random sampling with probability proportional to size procedures were used to identify a nationally representative sample of 15,027 persons aged 40 years or older. Distance vision was measured using a reduced logMAR tumbling E-chart.

Prevalence and causes of blindness and visual impairment in sokoto state, Nigeria: baseline data for vision 2020: the right to sight eye care programme.

Purpose: To estimate the prevalence of low vision and blindness, identify the causes, and suggest policies for an effective eye care program based on 2005 data from Sokoto State, Nigeria.

Materials And Methods: A stratified two-stage cluster sampling method was used to quantify the prevalence of blindness and the causes from 4 health zones in Sokoto State. Subjects were evaluated using a magnifying loupe, direct ophthalmoscope and torchlight.

Challenges of trachoma control: an assessment of the situation in northern Nigeria.

Over the last three decades, a lot has been achieved in the control of trachoma worldwide. New assessment techniques, effective evidence-based control strategy with new methods and drugs, and an aggressive global partnership for the control of the disease have evolved. As such the number of people with the disease and blindness due to the disease had drastically reduced.

Interventions for Mooren's ulcer.

Background: Mooren's ulcer is a chronic, painful peripheral ulcer of the cornea. Its cause is unknown but it can or will lead to loss of vision if untreated. Severe pain is common in patients with Mooren's ulcer and the eye(s) may be intensely reddened, inflamed and photophobic, with tearing.

Tracing children with blindness and visual impairment using the key informant survey in a district of north-Western Nigeria.

Purpose: To identify children with irreversible blindness in a district of northern Nigeria for enrolment into an inclusive education pilot project.

Materials And Methods: Using key informants (KIs) working and residing within the communities, children with blindness and visual impairment in Gwadabawa local government area (LGA) were identified and then examined by a team of ophthalmologists/optometrists. Data analysis was performed manually using simple percentages and proportions.

Outcome of cataract surgery in Nigeria: visual acuity, autorefraction, and optimal intraocular lens powers--results from the Nigeria national survey.

Objective: To describe presenting and corrected visual acuities after cataract surgery in a nationally representative sample of adults. Another objective was to describe refractive errors in operated eyes and to determine the optimal range of intraocular lens (IOL) powers for this population.

Design: Cross-sectional, population-based survey.

Prevalence of blindness and low vision in north central, Nigeria.

Background: The Kaduna State of Nigeria Eye Care Programme (KSECP) is a state-wide community-based eye care programme designed in the model of the World Health Organisation global initiative for the elimination of avoidable blindness by the year 2020--Vision 2020.

Objective: To provide baseline data for the monitoring and evaluation of the KSECP.

Methods: The study was a cross-sectional population-based survey that covered the state.