Publication:

Impact of cataract surgery on quality of life in rural areas of Jharkhand: a community based cross-sectional study

Background Cataract is the leading cause of blindness in India, accounting for approximately 66.2% of all blindness cases and accounting for 71.2% of all visual impairment cases. This study was conducted in 5 blocks of East Singhbhum and Saraikela-Kharsawan districts of Jharkhand to determine burden of cataract and the impact of cataract surgery on quality of life in the rural population.

Methods Community based cross sectional study was conducted between January 2023 to April 2023 among individuals residing in rural areas of Jharkhand using multi-stage sampling with a sample size of 692 individuals.

Results Prevalence of cataract amongst the study population was 23% (159) and there was a statistically significant improvement in the quality-of-life post cataract surgery.

Conclusions High prevalence of cataract increases the burden on existing health care system. Ongoing research and initiatives should focus on improving early detection and referral, providing comprehensive post-operative care to reduce the burden of cataract and improve the quality-of-life outcomes among the individuals.