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

To determine the prevalence of visual impairment, blindness, and low vision among the elderly population of Sari in northern Iran 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. 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%). 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.