Prevalence and Causes of Visual Impairment Among the Elderly of Sari, 2011

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of visual impairment, blindness, and low vision among the elderly population of Sari in northern Iran Methods: Random cluster sampling of 1,185 selected individuals over 54 years of age, of whom 79.1% participated. Participants underwent eye examinations to test presenting visual acuity (VA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and refraction. Results: Based on their presenting VA, the prevalence of visual impairment, blindness, and low vision were 11.1% (95%CI: 9.1-13.1), 3.7% (95% CI: 2.5-5.0), and 7.4% (95% CI: 5.7-9.0), respectively. Based on the BCVA, the results were 3.7% (95% CI: 2.3-5.1), 1.0% (95% CI: 0.2-1.7), and 2.7% (95% CI: 1.5-3.9), respectively. Based on the presenting VA, the most common causes of visual impairment were refractive errors (68.6%) and cataracts (16.7%). Conclusion: Refractive errors and cataracts were the main causes of visual impairment in the elderly population of Sari. Correcting refractive errors and cataracts could reduce 85% of visual impairment, depending on the presenting VA.