Visual outcome perceptions among post-cataract surgery patients in rural areas of Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu

Background of the study: An estimated 253 million people live with vision impairment: 36 million are blind and 217 million have moderate to severe vision impairment in the World. (1) Around 81% of people who are blind or have moderate or severe vision impairment are aged 50 years and above. Methodology: The survey was conducted in rural villages of Kanchipuram district in the service areas of Chunampet Rural health training centre .Post-cataract surgery operated individuals were interviewed to assess the functional ability in performing the common daily-activities. Results: A total of 100 post-cataract surgery operated individuals were interviewed of which 59% were females and 41% were males . Most of the study participants were farmers by occupation. Unilateral cataract is the most common cause of visual impairment among the study participants. The majority of the study participants were able to perform their common daily activities by themselves without any hindrance. Conclusion: The burden of performing cataract surgery in rural areas and unreached, remote communities still remains a challenge for health planning and health service providers. Health manpower development and services to meet these growing needs remains a future necessity.