[Cataract as a leading cause of visual disability and blindness in the region of Eastern Sarajevo and Eastern Herzegovina].

Introduction: Cataract is the second leading cause of blindness and visual disability in the region of Eastern Herzegovina and Eastern Sarajevo. It is a curable and preventable cause of blindness, because visual function can be surgically recovered. The aim of our study was to determine the frequency of cataract among registered blind population.

Material And Methods: We used data stored in the Regional Association of Blind Persons from municipalities of Eastern Herzegovina (Trebinje, Bileća, Foca) and Eastern Sarajevo. In this population-based study data were analyzed using standard statistical methods. We have investigated sex and age distribution, visual acuity and type of cataract in the registered population. Among 298 registered blind persons and persons with visual disability, 17% are persons with cataract. Males are more frequent than women. Most people with cataract are older than 60 and are with age-related cataract.

Discussion And Conclusion: Literature data show that cataract is one of the leading causes of blindness and visual disability in the world. Cataract is the second leading cause of visual disability and blindness in the registered population of Eastern Herzegovina. The total number of people with visual disability caused by cataract would decrease by increasing the number of surgeries, which correlates with improving the quality and training of ophthalmologists.