Poverty and Cataract: A Study in Three Countries
Author Information
Author(s): Susan Lewallen
Primary Institution: Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology
Hypothesis
Is there an association between visual impairment from cataract and poverty in low-income countries?
Conclusion
The study found a significant relationship between poverty and visual impairment from cataract in Kenya, Bangladesh, and the Philippines.
Supporting Evidence
- The study found that cases with visual impairment due to cataract were poorer than controls in all three countries studied.
- Higher rates of visual impairment are often found in poorer countries.
- Cataract is the most common cause of blindness worldwide, particularly in low-income settings.
Takeaway
The study shows that people with cataract-related vision problems are often poorer than those without such problems, especially in low-income countries.
Methodology
The study used a case-control design, comparing individuals with visual impairment due to cataract to those without, while measuring household wealth through multiple indicators.
Potential Biases
There is a risk of bias due to the significant differences in literacy and education between cases and controls, which could confound the results.
Limitations
The study had issues with matching cases and controls for age and sex, and did not account for differences in literacy and education between groups.
Participant Demographics
Participants were from three low-income countries: Kenya, Bangladesh, and the Philippines.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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