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The Global Burden of Visual Difficulty in Low, Middle, and High Income Countries

Author

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  • Ellen E Freeman
  • Marie-Hélène Roy-Gagnon
  • Elodie Samson
  • Slim Haddad
  • Marie-Josée Aubin
  • Claudia Vela
  • Maria Victoria Zunzunegui

Abstract

Purpose: Using a world-wide, population-based dataset of adults, we sought to determine the frequency of far visual difficulty and its associated risk factors. Methods: The World Health Survey (WHS) was conducted in 70 countries throughout the world in 2003 using a random, multi-stage, stratified, cluster sampling design of adults ages 18 years and older. Far vision was assessed by asking “In the last 30 days, how much difficulty did you have in seeing and recognizing a person you know across the road (i.e. from a distance of about 20 meters)?”. Responses included none, mild, moderate, severe, or extreme/unable. The income status of countries was estimated using gross national income per capita data from 2003 from the World Bank. Prevalence and regression estimates were adjusted to account for the complex sample design. Results: 21% of adults reported any visual difficulty. The rate varied by the income status of the country with the percentage who had any visual difficulty being 24%, 23%, and 13% in low, middle, and high income countries, respectively. Five percent of people reported severe or extreme visual difficulty with rates in low, middle, and high income countries of 6%, 5%, and 2% respectively. Risk factors for visual difficulty included older age, female sex, poorer socioeconomic status, little to no formal education, and diabetes (P

Suggested Citation

  • Ellen E Freeman & Marie-Hélène Roy-Gagnon & Elodie Samson & Slim Haddad & Marie-Josée Aubin & Claudia Vela & Maria Victoria Zunzunegui, 2013. "The Global Burden of Visual Difficulty in Low, Middle, and High Income Countries," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(5), pages 1-8, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0063315
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063315
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    Cited by:

    1. Zamadonda Xulu-Kasaba & Khathutshelo Mashige & Kovin Naidoo, 2021. "Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Eye Health among Public Sector Eye Health Workers in South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-12, November.
    2. Ai Koyanagi & Brendon Stubbs & Lee Smith & Benjamin Gardner & Davy Vancampfort, 2017. "Correlates of physical activity among community-dwelling adults aged 50 or over in six low- and middle-income countries," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(10), pages 1-17, October.
    3. Brendon Stubbs & Kamran Siddiqi & Helen Elsey & Najma Siddiqi & Ruimin Ma & Eugenia Romano & Sameen Siddiqi & Ai Koyanagi, 2021. "Tuberculosis and Non-Communicable Disease Multimorbidity: An Analysis of the World Health Survey in 48 Low- and Middle-Income Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-15, March.
    4. Hanen Harrabi & Marie-Josee Aubin & Maria Victoria Zunzunegui & Slim Haddad & Ellen E Freeman, 2014. "Visual Difficulty and Employment Status in the World," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(2), pages 1-6, February.
    5. Mireia Felez-Nobrega & Ai Koyanagi, 2023. "Health status and quality of life in comorbid physical multimorbidity and depression among adults aged ⩾50 years from low- and middle-income countries," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 69(5), pages 1250-1259, August.
    6. Davy Vancampfort & Lee Smith & Brendon Stubbs & Nathalie Swinnen & Joseph Firth & Felipe B Schuch & Ai Koyanagi, 2018. "Associations between active travel and physical multi-morbidity in six low- and middle-income countries among community-dwelling older adults: A cross-sectional study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(8), pages 1-15, August.

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