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ABSTRACT
Purpose: To estimate the prevalence of blindness, visual impairment, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic retinopathy in patients aged 50 years and older in the State of Nuevo León, Mexico.
Methods: Ninety-one clusters of 60 people aged 50+ were selected randomly and a rapid assessment of avoidable blindness (RAAB) was conducted. Participants had their visual acuity and cause of visual impairment assessed, underwent a random glucose test and fundoscopy under mydriasis if they had diabetes. The diabetic retinopathy (DR) degree was classified according to the Scottish diabetic retinopathy grading scheme.
Results: From the sample 5,055 (92.6%) people were examined. The blindness prevalence was 1.7% (95% Confidence Interval: 1.3–2.1%). Cataract (32.6%), DR (29.1%) and glaucoma (16.3%) were the leading causes of blindness. The prevalence of severe, moderate, and early visual impairment was 1.0%, 5.1%, and 7.7%, respectively. Among respondents, 31% had diabetes and 8.1% of them was not diagnosed prior to the study. Of all participants with diabetes, 50% had glucose levels of 200 mg/dl or higher and 15.7% had sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy.
Conclusions: Besides strengthening of cataract intervention activities, more ophthalmic services for diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma control are needed in Nuevo León to provide timely intervention to prevent blindness.
Declaration of interest
The authors above listed have no relationship or conflicts of interest to declare.