Views: 1,354 | Downloads:
27
| Responses: 0
| XML | Respond to this article | Alert & updates | Request permissions | Email to a friend |
Original ArticleOpen Access
Ocular Diseases and Blindness in Elderly Thais
Singalavanija A 
,
Metheetrairut A ,
Ruangvaravate N ,
Tuchinda R ,
Wanumkamg N
,
Metheetrairut A ,
Ruangvaravate N ,
Tuchinda R ,
Wanumkamg N The prevalence of ocular disease and blindness in 2,092 Thai subjects, aged 60 years and
over, in 33 communities in the vicinity of Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok was studied. The subjects were
examined by a team which consisted of 3-4 ophthalmologists, 6 nurses and a trainee health officer.
The history, visual acuity and ocular tension were recorded. The anterior and posterior segments
of the eye were assessed by using a portable slit lamp biomicroscope, and a direct and indirect
ophthalmoscope. The examination revealed disease of the lens in 1656 cases (79 .16% ), cornea
852 cases (40.72%), lid 516 cases (24.67%), conjunctiva 462 cases (22.08%), retina 300 cases
(14.34%), glaucoma 128 cases (6.12%) and of the optic nerve in 39 cases (1.86%) respectively.
There were 66 cases of blindness (3.15%) and 743 cases of low vision (35.5%). The causes of
blindness were cataract, glaucoma, late age-related maculopathy, optic atrophy and corneal opacity.
Key word: Prevalence, Blindness, Low Vision, Elderly, Glaucoma, Cataract, Age-Related Maculo-
pathy
over, in 33 communities in the vicinity of Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok was studied. The subjects were
examined by a team which consisted of 3-4 ophthalmologists, 6 nurses and a trainee health officer.
The history, visual acuity and ocular tension were recorded. The anterior and posterior segments
of the eye were assessed by using a portable slit lamp biomicroscope, and a direct and indirect
ophthalmoscope. The examination revealed disease of the lens in 1656 cases (79 .16% ), cornea
852 cases (40.72%), lid 516 cases (24.67%), conjunctiva 462 cases (22.08%), retina 300 cases
(14.34%), glaucoma 128 cases (6.12%) and of the optic nerve in 39 cases (1.86%) respectively.
There were 66 cases of blindness (3.15%) and 743 cases of low vision (35.5%). The causes of
blindness were cataract, glaucoma, late age-related maculopathy, optic atrophy and corneal opacity.
Key word: Prevalence, Blindness, Low Vision, Elderly, Glaucoma, Cataract, Age-Related Maculo-
pathy
Download:
PDF