Association of socio-demographic and specific causative factors associated with development of cataract: a cross-sectional study

Authors

  • Pritish K. Raut Department of Community Medicine, DVVPF’s Medical College, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India
  • Sachin Gupta Department of Community Medicine, Chirayu Medical College and Hospital (CMCH), Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
  • Shamkumar U. Burungale Department of Community Medicine, DVVPF’s Medical College, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20203008

Keywords:

Blindness, Cataract, U-V radiation

Abstract

Background: Cataract is a major cause of blindness worldwide, particularly so in India. Cataract constitutes 55% of total blindness in this country. It is generally acknowledged that age-related (senile) cataract is a multifactorial disease. The combined effect of these risk factors can help in better prediction of cataract as compared to their individual effects and is also helpful in determining preventive and curative interventions in development of cataract. Objective: To study the association between development of cataract and specific causative factors, socio-demographic factors.

Methods: 274 patients diagnosed with cataract were interviewed with the help of a pre tested interview schedule.

Results: Total of 274 cases was included in the study, of which 126 (46%) were male and 148 (54%) were female. Illiterate females being more prone for the development of cataract (p value=0.001). There are more than double the chances of developing cataract in people who are exposed to U-V radiation (OR=2.14). Out of total cases, 156 (56.9%) cases were having present or past history of addiction in the form of tobacco and the significant association was found between tobacco consumption and development of cataract (p value=0.012).

Conclusions: Improvement in knowledge, literacy level and protection against U-V radiation will be helpful to reduce morbidity of senile cataract among elderly people.

Author Biographies

Pritish K. Raut, Department of Community Medicine, DVVPF’s Medical College, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India

Department of Community Medicine and Associate Professor

Sachin Gupta, Department of Community Medicine, Chirayu Medical College and Hospital (CMCH), Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India

Assistant Professor and Dept. of Community Medicine

Shamkumar U. Burungale, Department of Community Medicine, DVVPF’s Medical College, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India

Assistant Professor and Dept. of Community Medicine

References

Blindness and vision impairment prevention World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/blindness/causes/priority/en/index1.html. Accessed on 18 January 2020.

Hodge WG, Whitcher JP, Satariano W. Risk factors for age-related cataracts. Epedemiol Rev. 1995;17:336-46.

Bhaduri G, Banerjea A. Blindness: the Indian scenario and plans to combat. J Indian Med Assoc. 1996;94:401-2.

Ughade SN, Zodpey SP, Khanolkar VA. Risk factors for cataract: A case control study. Indian J Ophthalmol. 1998;46(4):221-7.

Park K. Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine; 19th ed. Jabalpur Banarasidas Bhanot; 2008:336-339.

Navarro esteban JJ, Gutierrez leiva JA, Valero caracena N, Buendia bermejo J, Calle puron ME, Martinez Vizcaino VJ. Prevalence and risk factors of lens opacities in the elderly in Cuenca, Spain. Eur J Ophthalmol. 2007;17(1):29-37.

West SK, Duncan DD, Munoz B, Rubin GS, Fried LP, Bandeen-Roche K, et al. Sunlight exposure and Risk of lens opacities in a Population based study. J Am Med Assoc. 1998;280(8):714-8.

Hiller R, Giacometti L, Yuen K. Sunlight and Cataract: An Epidemiologic Investigation. Am J Epidemiol. 1977;105(5):450-9.

Kharmar BK, Rawal UM. Sunlight-its etiological role in cataract formation. Indian J Ophthalmol. 1983;31(7):842-3.

Downloads

Published

2020-06-26

How to Cite

Raut, P. K., Gupta, S., & Burungale, S. U. (2020). Association of socio-demographic and specific causative factors associated with development of cataract: a cross-sectional study. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 7(7), 2743–2746. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20203008

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles