Complexities and challenges of surgical data collection from cataract patients: comparison of cataract surgery rates between 2001 and 2008 in all provinces of Argentina.

Purpose: To compare the cataract surgical rate (CSR) in 2001 with that in 2008 in all Argentinean provinces using current reporting methods and verify the accuracy of CSRs by cross-checking these methods with the number of sold intraocular lenses (IOLs) within the country.

Methods: A longitudinal study including public and private set-ups was conducted, and it included 40 ophthalmologists from 22 provinces who provided cataract surgery data for 2001 and 2008. Other data were obtained from the Ministry of Health.

Risk factors of age-related macular degeneration in Argentina.

Purposes: To assess the risk factors of age-related macular degeneration in Argentina using a case-control study.

Methods: Surveys were used for subjects' antioxidant intake, age/gender, race, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes (and type of treatment), smoking, sunlight exposure, red meat consumption, fish consumption, presence of age-related macular degeneration and family history of age-related macular degeneration. Main effects models for logistic regression and ordinal logistic regression were used to analyze the results.

Causes of blindness and visual impairment in Latin America.

We review what is known in each country of the Latin American region with regards to blindness and visual impairment and make some comparisons to Hispanic populations in the United States. Prevalence of blindness varied from 1.1% in Argentina to 4.

Cataract surgery rates in latin america: a four-year longitudinal study of 19 countries.

Purpose: To collect cataract surgery rates data in 19 Latin American countries over a 4-year period as data published to date have been limited.

Methods: Cataract surgery rates were obtained from National Society of Ophthalmology, National VISION 2020/Prevention of Blindness Committee and Ministry of Health representatives for each country for 2005 to 2008. Economic (gross national income per capita) and other data were collected from publicly available databases.

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.